Drepung Monastery and Local Craftspeople

Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in the world and once housed 10,000 monks and nuns.  It was built in 1419 and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dalai lamas lived here and are entombed here.  

When you visit the above website, it is refreshing to see that the 14th  Dalai Lama is acknowledged at Tenzin Gyatso.  When you visit any monastery here, there is absolutely no mention of him as the Dalai Lama.  They mention the Panchen Lama,  often displaying his image and the Chinese annointed Dalai Lama but not the Dalai Lama we in the West recognize.  The Panchen Lama resides in Beijing and not at  holy sites. 

giant thangka in the distance

This was a very impressive monastery but I think I was so overwhelmed that I forgot to take more images of the exterior.  So far, this was my favorite monastery.

view of Lhasa from monastery

i wanted to capture her beautiful braids

Outside the monastery, a man selling incense was doing a brisk business.  People buy the incense, and burn it right there.  All incense burning is done outside temples.

New Mandala Restaurant

We went back to Barkhor Square to eat lunch at the New Mandala Restaurant that commanded a view of the square.  We also could see the police presence on the rooftops.

There was the clear police presence but apparently, there are many undercover police officers lurking among the people.  How awful to have to watch what one says.  From here, one could see the many Chinese flags but not one Tibetan flag which is apparently not allowed.

After a delicious lunch, we returned to Dropenling because the artisans had studios right there and we didn't even notice them the last time we were there.

artisan working on a thangka

A thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, or silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala.

paints

Artisans working in metal

a Buddha commission in metal

Some completed thangkas

A walk through the streets of old Lhasa

Many yak meat vendors

We enjoyed the food and the view so much at the New Mandala, that we returned for dinner.  Of course, the light was different.

As has become our custom, we took a walk around Jokhang Temple after dinner to watch people and dogs.

 images of the monastery dogs - they seem like they have a good life.