Sera Monastery

Welcome to Sera Monastery, a jewel of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, located five kilometers north of Lhasa at the foot of Purbuchok Mountain. As we stand here, we are stepping into a site founded in 1419 by Jamchen…

We begin our exploration at the Coqen Hall, the Great Assembly Hall and the spiritual heart of Sera. This massive structure is easily identifiable by its golden spires and the large courtyard in front where pilgrims gather. …

While inside the Coqen Hall, let us look specifically at the walls adorned with intricate mandala paintings. These geometric, circular designs are not merely decorations; they are sophisticated spiritual maps representing the…

At 3:00 PM, the monastery transforms as we head to the Debating Courtyard. This is the most famous ritual at Sera, a tradition that dates back to its founding in 1419. …

As we move further into the complex, we arrive at Sera Je, the largest of the monastery's colleges. This was historically the most influential part of Sera, producing many of the highest scholars and advisors in Tibetan history. …

No visit to Sera is complete without walking a portion of the Kora, the sacred pilgrimage path that circles the monastery. As we join the pilgrims, you will see people from all over Tibet—some from the distant regions of Kham or…

Near the entrance and throughout the grounds, you will encounter large, towering incense burners, known as 'sang-khang.' These structures billow thick, fragrant smoke from burning juniper branches and various mountain herbs. In…

As the afternoon sun begins to dip behind Purbuchok Mountain and the echoes of the last hand-claps fade from the courtyard, our journey through Sera Monastery comes to an end. We have seen the 'Wild Rose' in its many forms: the…