Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain, on the southern bank of Lhasa River in Tagtse County, 47 kilometers (29 miles) from Lhasa City. It stands at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level. Ganden Monastery is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. It was known as being one of the 'Three Great Temple', together with the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery . Every year, one of the grandest of Buddhist activities - Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival - is conducted in the monastery, attracting thousands of visitors and disciples.

In the early 15th century, Tsong Khapa called for the Reformation of Religion, advocating to eliminate  the previous disadvantages in religious orders and initiated the Gelugpa. This sect also became known as the Yellow Hat sect, as its disciples were always wearing yellow hats. This order went on to become the biggest sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Since dharma is essential to the teachings of the sect, the whole layout of the monastery is built on its principles.

The temple is comprised of over 50 structures. The main halls in the temple are the Main Assembly Hall (or Coqen Hall), Zhacangs, Khangtsens, and Myicuns.

Coqen Hall is positioned in the northern part of the whole complex and faces south. It serves as the main assembly hall, 43.8 meters (143.7 feet) wide and 44.7 meters (146.7 feet) long and have three levels in it. The Sutra Hall runs through the middle of the first floor, with the three Buddha Halls branching from it. The Sutra Hall is so large that it can hold over 3,000 lamas. Inside the Buddha Halls are statues of the Maitreya Buddha and the master Tsong Khapa, the initiator of Gelugpa. To the west of Coqen Hall is the other main hall consisting of the Buddhist Guardian Hall, Mandala Hall, and other complexes. It was built during the early fifteenth century, from 1409 - 1416.

Tri Thok Khang is one of the earliest Buddha Halls in the Ganden Monastery, and once served as Tsong Khapa's bedchamber. Originally built in 1409, in the next hundreds years , it was once adorned with luxurious gilded bronze bricks. There are statues of the Sitatapatra and Manjushri Bodhisattva enshrined in the hall. Its windows are ornately carved in the style of the Central Plains.

Serdhung is the Holy Stupa Hall that was used by Tsong Khapa. In 1419, Tsong Khapa passed away in Tri Thok Khang and in the following year his disciples established the hall for him, as well as a silver pagoda inside with more than 900 taels of silver to surround the master's body. Afterwards, the thirteenth Dalai Lama covered it with pure gold. And then, there are many other Holy Stupas were constructed besides this one.

The monastery possesses two Zhacang (or Tantric colleges) - Xaze and Jamze. Both of these cover an area of nearly 1,000 square meters (1196 square yards) and are capable of holding 1,500 worshipping lamas.

There are also 23 Khangtsens and 20 Myicuns, which serve as the monks' living areas. Nine Debating Courtyards are used to as places to debate the sutras every day, as well as perform Summons Ceremonies throughout the four seasons.

This monastery also houses rare and well preserved cultural relics, such as the armor of Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). This armour is studded with jewels and engraved in four kinds of characters. There are also exquisite tapestries from Jiangsu Province, etc..