David and Lynne infront of The Potala Lhasa Tibet
Lynne and David in The Jokhang Lhasa Tibet
Tibetan pilgrims walking the Barkhor pilgrimage circuit Lhasa Tibet
Tibetan Opera performance at Norulingka Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas Lhasa Tibet
We were fortunate to come across a Tibetan Opera being performed in the grounds of Norbulingka. Our guide, Jamyang, said we were so lucky to see a traditional Tibetan Opera. It was being watched by an audience of appreciative Tibetans.
Monks in the debating courtyard of Sera Monastery Lhasa Tibet
The highlight of our visit to the Sera Monastery was arriving at the Debating Courtyard when all the novice monks were preparing for monastic examinations by staging mock debates. Some sat cross-legged under the trees, while others ran from group to group giving vigorous hand-claps to end a statement or make a point. They seemed to be really enjoying themselves.
Drepung means 'Rice Heap', after its jumble of white buildings piled up against Mount Gyengbuwdze. It was the biggest and richest monastery in Tibet. Its Lamas helped to train each young Dalai Lama. At its height Drepung had over 10,000 monks and governed 700 subsidiary monasteries. Just like our own Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire it owned vast estates!
I have uploaded a gallery of photos entitled . . . .
'Lhasa Tibet 2016'
. . . . in 'Photographs'
in 'Beyond the Sacred Mountains'.
In a few days I will upload further photos of our travels and adventures in Tibet. I would love to hear from you either by comments on my blog or by email via the 'Contact' page of my website.
David