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Situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles)
from the western suburb of Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is known as the
most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. It is considered
one of the 'Three Great Monasteries' (the other two are the Ganden
Monastery and the Sera Monastery. Covering an area of 250,000 square
meters (299,007 square yards), it held 7,700 monks in total and possessed
141 fazendas and 540 pastures in its heyday, and is the largest-scale
monastery among the ones of the same kind. Seen from afar, its grand,
white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice.
As such, it was given the name 'Drepung Monastery' which, in the Tibetan
language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice.

History

The monestary was established in 1416 by Tsong Khapa's disciple Jamyang
Qoigyi, who was versed in both Esoteric and Exotoric Buddhism and became
the first Kampo there. With the support of plutocrats, it developed as
the richest monastery of Gelugpa and became the mother temple of Dalai
Lamas. In 1546, the third Dalai was welcomed as the first Living Buddha
into the monastery. At the invitation of Mongolia's king, he went to
Qinghai Province to preach. He was dignified with the title 'the third
Dalai Lama' the first and second Dalai were entitled, too. It is the very
place that the second, third, and the fourth Dalai Lama held the
Sitting-in-Bed Ceremony, as well as the residence of the fifth Dalai
before his nomination by the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

Systems

The organizational hierarchy of the monastery is rather complex. The main
branches of the organization consist of Coqen, Zhacang, Kamcun, and
Myicun. Coqen is in the highest position, to which Zhacang belongs, and
Kamcun is under the jurisdiction of Zhacang, with the Myicun as its
subordinate. Monks belonging to respective Zhacangs cannot interblend
with each other.

The education system in Zhacangs is set up such that, every year there
are eight chances to study the sutra collectively, each time spanning
from half a month to a month. Monks are tested before the Kampo in the
method of reciting sutras and debating, and based on their performance;
receive the degrees of different levels.

Visit to the Monastery

The ground of the monastery is organized on the caves and temples for
Jamyang Qoigyi, together with two magnificent white pagodas. The
buildings of the monastery are centered on these pagodas, The major
buildings are Ganden Potrang, Coqen Hall, the four Zhacangs (or Tantric
colleges), and Kamcuns.

The Ganden Potrang, in the southwest corner of the monastery, was built
under the supervision of the second Dalai Lama Gendun Gyaco around the
year of 1530. It became the residence of the second, third, fourth, and
the fifth Dalai Lamas. After the fifth Dalai Lama moved to the Potala
Palace, it was served as the meeting place for the local regime for both
politics and religion.

The Coqen Hall is located in the center of the monastery. In front of it,
is a square occupying an area of about 1,850 square meters (2213 square
yards). Stepping on the wide stone stairs, you will see the grand
Entrance Hall. Inside is the Sutra Hall supported by 183 pillars, and
spanning 1,850 square meters. Amongst the colorful decorations, there are
fine and vivid statues of Buddha. The second story houses collections of
precious sutras. There are a set of Gangyur Tripitaka written in gold
powder, and woodcarving sutras of the Qing Dynasty. On the third story is
enshrined a huge bronze statues of Qamba Buddha, which is said to be the
future appearance of the Qamba Buddha in his 8th year. It is worshiped by
the disciples of Buddhism.

The monastery is composed of 4 Zhacangs, functioning as the
sutra-learning places and the subordinate organization. Loseling Zhacang
is the largest with the most lamas. The Loseling, Gomang, and Deyang
Zhacang focus on the Esoteric Buddhism, while the Ngaba Zhacang on the
Exotoric Buddhism.

Several courtyards in the dense forests on the grounds of the monastery
are used for monks to debate on the sutras. The courtyards sites are
always chosen near Zhacang and various trees are grown. After enduring
the debating period in both Zhacang and the entire monastery, the winner
will obtain the qualification to attend the test for the senior degree of
Geshi.

Cultural Relics

The Drepung Monastery houses many cultural relics, which adorn the
monastery and make it more superb. Statues of Manjushri Bodhisattva, and
Sitatapatra found on the first storey of the Coqen Hall, rare sutras on
the second storey and Jamyang Qoigyi's conch shell given by Tsong Khapa
on the third one, all add to the wonderment of the monastery. Exquisite
statues of Tsong Khapa, Kwan-yin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva,
Amitayus, and Jamyang Qoigyi in other sutra halls, as well as flowery
murals on walls also fully present the wisdom of the Tibetan people.

Admission Fee: CNY 55
Opening Hours: 09:10 to 12:00
Recommended Time for a Visit: Three hours
Bus Route: The best way is to take a taxi which costs about 20

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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Chinese language - Drepung Monastery, Lhasa Attractions, Tibet Travel

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