TibetDrepung

TibetDrepung, commonly known as Drepung Monastery, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelug school located on the western outskirts of Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The name Drepung means “rice heap” in Tibetan, referring to a hilltop setting that was likened to a pile of rice.

Founded in the early 15th century by Jamyang Choje Tönpé Gyeltsen, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the monastery grew into one of the largest and most influential centers in Tibet. It became a major focal point for Gelug scholarship, philosophy, and administration, and was regarded as one of the three great Gelug institutions alongside Ganden and Sera. The complex comprises multiple campuses and temples, including the Drepung Loseling and Drepung Gomang colleges, and historically housed thousands of monks.

In the 20th century, Drepung endured upheaval during the Chinese occupation and the Cultural Revolution, suffering damage and disruption. Following reforms in the late 20th century, restoration and renewed religious activity allowed the monastery to reopen as a working center of Buddhist study and practice. The 1959 Tibetan uprising and the subsequent exile of the Dalai Lama affected the broader religious landscape, but Drepung remained a significant site in Tibet and continued to function within evolving official constraints.

Today TibetDrepung remains a functioning monastery and a major destination for visitors and pilgrims near Lhasa. It is recognized for its historical role in Gelug scholarship, its distinctive architectural ensemble, and its ongoing religious and cultural importance in Tibetan Buddhism.