Dialectics at the Sera Monastery and other Tibet, China Things to Do Tips

Like I said, most of the monasteries we visited are shrouded in a reverent silence...the Sera is no different. HOWEVER...come 3:00pm, the courtyard is transformed into a cacophony of clapping hands and gesticulations the likes of which I'd never witnessed before. This is an ancient, studied tradition of posing philosophical and theological questions to one another, with the exercise being that of answering and providing more fodder for debate in the process. The Dalai Lama himself was schooled in this tradition. To see these young monks come alive in debate is quite a sight -- not to be missed. 3:00 pm -5:00pm.

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Directions: Right outside of Lhasa

Most VTers have better shots from other vantage points - I don't know why I never found that perfect place. I'll have to go back and look for it.

In the meantime, the Potala Palace remains impressive any way you look at it.

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Directions: Lhasa, baby!

The most holy of Tibetan Buddhist Temples. Be sure to go to the roof of it, around evening time, for a breathtaking view of the Potala in the background as the sun sets and the lights go on.....notice how the pilgrims stick around at the front of the temple, continuing to prostrate themselves into the night time. If you go inside, try to time it around evening as well - there are some interesting things happening there. I wish I could have taken photos inside...

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Address: Barkhor Square (in front of the Temple)
Directions: Lhasa, old part

Another "Wow". You'll usually find people (pilgrims) circumnabulating the Palace, which I believe must take about an hour to complete. Inside, many of the wings are closed off to the public, and it can be dark and damp (the Dalai Lama never cared for the Palace but had to live there during the Winter season). You'll get to see his living quarters which represents a small area of the palace - if you're lucky, an old monk may offer you yak butter tea and a scarf (as happened to us!). The view toward what was once the front area populated by the monks, has been transformed into some sort of ugly, Tianeman Square kind of thing. But beyond that are the mountains and the beauty of Lhasa. Beware of the spycams EVERYWHERE, especially squeezed into the small spaces in the worship areas where the buddhist scriptures are stored.

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Directions: Lhasa

Otherwise known as the "Summer Palace" of the Dalai Lama, and his favorite place. Although it was pretty run down, it was great to imagine how much the Dalai Lama must have enjoyed the peaceful feel to the place...it's quiet and less of a palace or monastery, and more of a natural spot. Apparently deer and other animals used to live there as well.

I'll never forget going through one of the rooms where surprisingly (surprising in that the Chinese hadn't destroyed or defaced the drawing), there was a depiction of all the Dalai Lamas, including the current 14th Dalai Lama. We stood next to a Chinese couple who had a Chinese guide, and our guide Dawa overheard them ask who that last picture was....and their guide replied, "Oh, he's just some lama...".

We were stunned - and felt so badly for Dawa after hearing that (as we did on many an occasion, all for similar reasons). It was like an outright slap in the face.

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