Monasteries in Lhasa City

Various monasteries in Lhasa City greatly reflected the particular Buddhism culture in Tibet. The architectures and collections of the monasteries add more charm and mystery to Lhasa. The monasteries also have become the must-go sites for tourists came to Lhasa.

Monasteries in Lhasa City - Jokhang Monastery

Jokhang Monastery is located in the center of the ancient city of Lhasa. It was built in the seventh century by Songtsan Gambo, Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty and Nelpalese Princess Bhrikuti. Its four-storey main building demonstrates a combination of the Han, Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese architectural styles, as well as a mandala world outlook of Buddhism. With the Hall of Amitayus Sutra as its center, the monastery symbolizes the nuclear of the universe. The Hall of Sakyamuni is the essence of the monastery.

Monasteries in Lhasa City - Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is located at the foot of Wuze Hill in Sera to the north of Lhasa. It is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism in Tibet. It was built by one of disciples of Zonggaba in 1419. On 27th of the 12th month according to the Tibetan calendar, the monastery holds the grand Sera Bungchen Festival, which attracts flocks of Buddhists and tourists.

Monasteries in Lhasa City - Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is located on the slope of the Wuze Hill in Genbei, about five kilometers to the northwest of Lhasa. It was built in 1416. It is the largest among the monasteries of the Gelug Sect. It covers an area of 250,000 square meters. In its heyday, there were more than 10000 monks in the monastery. The monastery has trained a large group of talents for Tibetan Buddhism. The Fifth Dalai Lama lived here before he moved to the Potala Palace.

Drepung Monastery collected a plenty of historical and cultural relics and Buddhist classics. In the exciting Shoton Festival, "sunning the Buddha" held by the monastery has been one of the most magnificent religious activities in Tibet.

Monasteries in Lhasa City - Klukang Monastery

Klukang Monastery is located in the northern part of Lhasa. It was built in the mid-seventh century. It was damaged and rebuilt several times. Klukang Monastery collected many murals and the statues of Sakyamuni, Maitreya and others. The main hall houses a gilded full-length statue of the eight-year-old Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by the Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. The Tantric College of the Gelug Sect in Tibet is also located here.

Monasteries in Lhasa City - Gandain Monastery

Gandain Monastery is located in Dagze County, about 60 kilometers to the east of Lhasa. It is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Sect. Gandain means happiness and contentedness in Tibetan. Gandain Monastery was built in early 15th century under the supervision of Zonggaba, the founder of the Gelug Sect. The main building of the monastery is made up of the Coqen Hall, the Chamber of Zonggaba and the College of Yangbajain.

Monasteries in Lhasa City - Curpu Monastery

Curpu Monastery is located in Doilungdeqen County, 70 kilometers away from Lhasa. It was built in 1187. It is the main monastery of the Black Cap Group of the Karma Sect. The system of the succession to grant the Living Buddha was originated here and has become popular among various sects of the Tibetan Buddhism.