Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery, one of the largest and oldest in Lhasa, stands as a significant religious center for the Gelugpa, or Yellow Hat, sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded centuries ago, it houses hundreds of monks and encompasses three colleges, all enclosed by a prayer circuit. The monastery’s most distinctive feature is its lively afternoon courtyard debates, held six days a week, where monks engage in animated discussions on Buddhist philosophy. Visitors can observe these vibrant exchanges, providing a unique insight into the daily practices and intellectual traditions of Tibetan monastic life.