Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery located 8km from west of central Lhasa is one of the ‘Great Three” Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet, (the other two being Ganden and Sera). Drepung is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries, and was at one time the world’s largest monasteries, home to over 10,000 monks. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Chojey, a direct disciple of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelukpa school. In 1530, second Dalai Lama established Ganden Palace, home to Dalai Lamas until the 5th Dalai Lama built Potala Palace. In its hey days, it had seven colleges.
Trips that visit Drepung Monastery
- Three Himalayan KingdomsDay 4: In Lhasa 15 days
Near Drepung Monastery
Other places within 15 km.
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Temples & Monasteries
Nechung Monastery
Nechung Monastery just below Drepung has an important place in the history of Tibet.
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Sight
Chagpo Ri
Opposite of Potala to the south east is the 3,725m Chakpori, believed sacred to Vajrapani, the bodhisattva of Energy and Power.
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Dzongs & Fortresses
Potala Palace
Aptly named after Mount Potalakha, the sacred mountain abode of Compassion Boddhisatva Avalokiteshvara or Chenrizing.
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Temples & Monasteries
Ramoche Temple
Ramoche is the sister temple to Jokhang temple, founded around the same time.
