Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
1
Tsangba Kangtsang
B3
2
Tsowa Kangtsang
A3
3
Sera Me College
B3
4
Sera Ngagpa College
B2
5
Jarung Kangtsang
B2
6
Sera Je College
B2
7
Debating Courtyard
C2
8
Hardong Kangtsang
C1
9
Main Assembly Hall
C2
10
Kitchen
C2
11
Sand Mandalas
B2
12
Printing Press
B2
13
Sera Kora
B1
14
Thangka Wall
C2
15
Chöding Hermitage
D2
History
Sera was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa also known by the
honorific title Jamchen Chöje. In its heyday, Sera hosted five colleges of instruction, but at
the time of the Chinese invasion in 1959 there were just three: Sera Me specialised in the
fundamental precepts of Buddhism; Sera Je in the instruction of itinerant monks from out-
side central Tibet; and Sera Ngagpa in Tantric studies.
Sera survived the ravages of the Cultural Revolution with light damage, although many
of the lesser colleges were destroyed.
