Sera-Kloster

Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, is one of the "Great Three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, together with Ganden and Drepung. At its peak it housed over 5,000 monks; today roughly 600 reside here. The monastery's most celebrated attraction is its afternoon debate session, held each weekday in a shaded courtyard of ancient trees. Monks in maroon robes engage in rapid-fire philosophical debates, punctuating their arguments with loud claps and dramatic gestures to challenge their opponent's reasoning — a centuries-old pedagogical tradition unique to Tibetan Buddhism. The complex also contains beautiful assembly halls and chapels with elaborate murals depicting the Gelug lineage. The debate normally begins around 3 pm; arrive early to secure a good vantage point.