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Why was it Drepung Monastery built?
Because of the fast growing number of believers and followers, Jamyang Choge Tashi Palde (one of Tsongkhapa’s disciples), namely the second Dalai Lama founded Drepung Monastery in 1416. In 1464, a lot of chapels and temple were built for followers to impart Buddhist wisdom.
Where is Drepung Monastery?
Lhasa
As one of the largest Tibetan monasteries, Drepung Monastery lies at the foot of the Gambo Utse Mountain, around five kilometers from downtown Lhasa, and is one of the Great Three Gelug Monasteries in Tibet, along with Sera and Ganden monasteries.
Which was the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet?
Samye Monastery
Built in the 8th century, Samye Monastery was the first true Buddhist monastery to be built in Tibet, and lies in the stunning area of the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley in Tsedang County of Lhoka Prefecture.
Is the Dalai Lama Buddhist?
The Dalai Lama is considered a living Buddha of compassion, a reincarnation of the bodhisattva Chenrezig, who renounced Nirvana in order to help mankind. The title originally only signified the preeminent Buddhist monk in Tibet, a remote land about twice the size of Texas that sits veiled behind the Himalayas.
How many TIbetans were killed by the Chinese?
1. The peaceful buddhist country of Tibet was invaded by Communists China in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monastaries have been destroyed, and thousands of TIbetans have been imprisoned.
What school of Buddhism is the Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the largest and most influential tradition in Tibet.
Why is Tibet so poor?
Due to its inherently unfavourable natural conditions including an extremely high altitude, harsh climates, and barren lands, Tibet is China’s toughest battleground in absolute poverty eradication.
Why did China want Tibet?
There are also strategic and economic motives for China’s attachment to Tibet. The region serves as a buffer zone between China on one side and India, Nepal, and Bangladesh on the other. The Himalayan mountain range provides an added level of security as well as a military advantage.
Who is the current Buddha?
Gautama Buddha
Six Buddhas of the past are represented, together with the current Buddha, Gautama Buddha, with his Bodhi Tree (at the extreme right).
What are the buildings of the Drepung Monastery?
The buildings in Dratsang include the Main Sutra Hall and different kinds of chapels. There has been seven Dratsangs in the early days and then merged into four Dratsangs according to the learning subjects and native places of the monks, including Loseling College, Gomang College, Deyang College and Ngagpa College.
Which is the largest Buddhist monastery in Tibet?
Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet, covering an area of 20,000 square meters. It was once the largest monastery in the world with 10,000 monks. There are numerous statues, murals, Buddhist classics collected in Drepung Monastery, so you can feast your eyes on these treasures.
How big is the assembly hall at Drepung?
The Main Assembly Hall (错钦大殿), also called Tsochin is the principal construction located in the center of Drepung Monastery. Crossing the cobbled square and walking up the 17 wide steps, you will see the large-scale Main Assemble Hall with an area of 4,500 square meters.