Attractions of Dreprung Monastery

The main structures of the monastery include the Main Assembly Hall (known as Tshomchen), four Tantric colleges and Ganden Palace (Ganden Potrang).

Walk along the west stair of Drepung monastery and you’ll find a three-storeyed palace with flowered windows, this is the famous Ganden Potrang. It was built in 1530 by the 10th tripas during the time of second Dalai Lama. Before the fifth Dalai Lama received the appointment of Qing Dynasty, this palace used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas from the third to the fifth.

Tshomchen, covering 4,500 square meters and supported by 183 pillars, is located at the center of the monastery. In the hall, there are a lot of Thangkas, murals that make a religious and mysterious atmosphere. And there are many lifelike statues of religious figures, such as Tsong Khapa and his two disciples and so on. In the front of the hall, a conch shell is worshiped with an important status. It was said that it was once used by Sakyamuni and was hidden at Mt. Gambo Utse. Later Tsong Khapa discovered it and bestowed it to his disciple to be the monastery's treasure. And silver tombs for Dalai Lama second, third and forth were worshiped in the rear of the palace. Upstairs, a collection of valuable scriptures is kept.

There are four Tantric colleges, which are Loseling College, Ngapa, Rongyangzachang(Xian and Mi sets of Buddhism), Abazachang(Mi sets of Buddhism). Each of them has a chanting hall, and its own monks that can’t mix with others. Each college has strict study system which requires studying together 8 times in a year, which means every 15 days to a month once. The monks learn Tantra by recitation and debating. Before the graduation, they have to take the examination held by Kabu, who will give them different rank according to their mark. The excellent would take part in the Buddhist service and be given a highest degree of Gexi.

Visitors will find many great cultural relics in this monastery.

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