Highlights of Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is one the six main monasteries of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is also named Lhasa Three Great Monasteries with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery. There are many precious cultural and historical relics collected in Sera Monastery. The highlights of Sera Monastery include the statue of Hayagriva, Tanjur of the Tripitaka, Platform for Buddha Exhibition and scripture debating.

Highlights of Sera Monastery – Statue of Hayagriva

In Sera Monastery, there are over ten thousand completed protected statues of Buddha's warrior attendants. Most of these statues were made in Tibet, and a small amount of cooper statues were from inland or Indian. The walls of main hall and each scripture hall of Sera Monastery are with a large amount of colorful frescos. Among these cultural and historical relics, the most famous is the statue of Hayagriva. It is placed in the Dharma Hall on the four-floor Jizhacang. After coming into the hall, walk straight. The statue of Hayagriva is behind of a row of small halls. Local Tibetans will put their heads into a small baldachine to touch the foundation support of the statue of Hayagriva with their heads.

Highlights of Sera Monastery - Tanjur of the Tripitaka

There is a large amount of precious cultural and historical relics treasured in Sera Monastery. Among these precious cultural and historical relics, the most valuable one is Tanjur of the Tripitaka which was conferred to Sakyayeshi by Yongle Emperor. It was printed with cinnabar in Tibetan Language in 1410. It was exquisitely made. At the same time, it is the first Tripitaka in Tibetan Language which was printed with lithographic printing.

Highlights of Sera Monastery – Platform for Buddha Exhibition

There is a platform for Buddha Exhibition on Northeast of Sera Monastery. There, you can overlook the whole Sera Monastery. During Shoton Festival in each year, the grand Buddha Exhibition ceremony will be held there. Hence, it is a good place to enjoy the whole scenery of Sera Monastery and experience the grand scene of Buddha Exhibition in Shoton Festival.

Highlights of Sera Monastery – Scripture Debating

Scripture debating is a kind of discussion about Buddhist knowledge, as well as a kind of way to learn more for Lamas. The scripture debating in Sera Monastery is very famous. The monks in Sera Monastery will hold a scripture debating activity every day in the special Scripture Debating Yard. In general, the scripture debating in Sera Monastery will start at 15:00. The scripture debating is a kind of challenging debating. The two monks in a group will cross swords and use hot words in the debating. The debaters will take advantages of gesture to enhance the power of debating. They may clap hand to urge others to answer the questions or pull rosary to show that getting power from Buddha to defeat others. The enthusiastic atmosphere in the scripture debating will also affect travelers.

As one of the grandest monasteries in Lhasa, Sera Monastery is not as grand as Drepung Monastery. But the scripture debating in Sera Monastery is really very special.