SERA MONASTERY

ííííLocated at the southern slope of the Serawoze Mountain in the northern suburb of Lhasa, it is one of the three grand monasteries of the Gelupa sect. It was built by Sagya Yeshes , one of the eight disciples of Zongkapa in 1419. Sagya Yeshes went to Beijing twice. In 1409, the Ming emperor sent someone to Tibet to invite Zongkapa to Beijing to propagate Buddhism, but Zongkapa couldní»t go to Beijing due to his advanced age, so he sent his student Sagya Yeshes to Beijing and Sagya Yeshes was given the title of í░the Great Mercy Prince of Dharmaí▒. After the establishment of the monastery, Sagya Yeshes went to Beijing again and also spread Buddhism in Mongolia. He was given the title of í░Master of the stateí▒, and was presented with a lot of gifts by the Ming emperor, such as a scripture written in gold, paintings and statues etc. These treasures are still remaining in Sera monastery.



íííí1íóThe Meba Zhacangú║was originally built by Sagya Yeshe in 1419 with a combined construction area of 1,600 square meters. The Sutra Hall is enshrined with bronze statues of Sakyamuni, Maitreya (the future Buddha) amd Manjusri.

íííí2íóThe Ngaba Zhacangú║The smallest in size of the three Zhacangs in this monastery served as the earliest Tsochin Hall of Sera monastery. The main chapel of the Zhacang was originally built by Sagya Yeshes, and the statue of him is enshrined in the hall. The other well known Lamas of the monastery are placed on the two sides. In the left of the two small chapels, the sixteen Arhats carved with white sandalwood that were given to Sagya Yeshes by the Ming Emperor as gifts are enshrined here, and in the right one an YAMANTAKA and Palden Lhamo are enshrined in the chapel.

íííí3íóThe Gyi Zhacangú║The largest of the three Zhacangs.
ííííThe throne for Dalai Lama is in the middle, and on its left is the statue of the 13th Dalai Lama and three Tomb Stupas with relics of Lamas of the monastery and the statue of master Zongkapa and creators of Gyi Zhacang.
ííííThe chapel of the Buddhas of the past, present and future: Buddhas of the past, present and future are enshrined in the chapel.
ííííThe chapel of the horse-head Avalokitesvara: The most holy chapel in the monastery. The chapel of the horse-head Avalokitesvara is the metamorphose body of the wrathful formet Avalokitesvara is regarded on as the most important Dharmapala of the monastery. Legend says that the horse-head Avalokitesvara is the god that used to be believed in by Lobdru Remchiní»s (the creator of the Zhacangí»s ) father. His father exhorted him that he must believe the horse-head Avalokitesvara in order to be crowned with success before his death, so he built the statue of the horse-head Avalokitesvara and it became this most important treasure in the monastery Later the 27th Dec of the Tibetan calendar is regarded as the celebrate day for horse-head Avalokitesvara.
ííííThe chapel of the Future Buddha: A huge statue of the Future Buddha, Zongkapa and his three disciples are enshrined in the chapel, The complete Kangyur and Tengyur are stored in it. The chapel of Zongkapa: Zongkapa and his three disciples are enshrined in this chapel.
ííííThe chapel of Manjusri: A statue of Manjusri with the manner of listening is enshrined and also Kangyur and Dengyur are stored in it.

íííí4íóScripture Debatingú║This place is located on the right side of the Gyi Zhacang. Over one hundred monks are sitting under the shadow of the tree and studying and discussing religious in this way. It is said that this form of debating was from India.

íííí5íóThe Tsochin Hall: is the largest construction in the monastery was built in 1709 by Lazang Han, the son of Gushe Han. It has 108 pillars and cover 1,092 square meters which can hold 5000 monks. Important activities and ceremonies are always held here on special days. The statue of Sagya Yeshes, the Future Buddha (Maitreya) and his eight disciples, Zongkaba and his Two disciples are enshrined here. Thousand-arm and Thousand eye Avolokitesvara is on the second floor.