Drepung Monastery

Welcome to Drepung Monastery, situated approximately ten kilometers west of the holy city of Lhasa. As you look up the slopes of Mount Gambo Utse, you see a sprawling complex of white buildings that resembles a 'heap of rice'—the…

We begin our exploration at the Ganden Phodrang, arguably the most historically significant building in the complex. Constructed in 1518 under the direction of the second Dalai Lama, it served as the residence and administrative…

Descending from the palace, we arrive at the square outside the Coqen Hall, or Dukhang, the main meeting hall for the entire monastery. This massive structure is supported by 184 towering pillars, a architectural testament to the…

Drepung is organized into four main faculties, or dratsangs, each specializing in different aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice. We now visit the Gomang Dratsang, known as the 'Faculty of Many Doors'. …

To understand the sheer scale of Drepung, one must visit the monastic kitchen. Feeding 10,000 monks was a massive logistical undertaking, and the kitchen is appropriately gargantuan. …

We now approach the Loseling Faculty, which historically was the largest dratsang within Drepung. Loseling has a particularly turbulent history, often finding itself at the center of political hostilities. …

As we move toward the outer edges of the complex, we encounter the large rock pictures and prayer banners that characterize the surrounding landscape. These colorful rock illustrations, depicting various Buddhas and deities,…

As we conclude our journey through Drepung Monastery, we are left with a sense of its incredible scale and enduring spiritual power. We have walked the halls of the Ganden Phodrang, where the Dalai Lamas once ruled; we have…