Being one of the three largest monasteries of Gelugpa, Sera sits at the foothills of Tatipu. It is as prestigious as Drepung and Ganden, which both have longer histories. Sera means "Wild Rose Garden" in Tibetan. Sera is designed around a Main Assembly Hall which is the grandest hall of Sera, occupying a floor space of 1,000 square meters. Sera houses three colleges as well as Drepung and Ganden. Sera's collection of murals is maintained in perfect, original condition. Its statues of Maitreya, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats are very noteworthy. Scriptures written in gold powder, scroll paintings, a tapestry portrait of Jamchen Chojey, and thangkas can be seen throughout Sera. |
