Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery ('bras spungs), situated about five kilometers west of Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region, is a historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelug tradition, founded in 1416 by Jamyang Chöje Tashi Palden, a direct disciple of the reformer Tsongkhapa.[1][2] Once the world's largest monastic institution, it housed up to 10,000 monks and functioned as a major center for scholastic debate, philosophical study, and administrative authority, including serving as the initial seat of the Dalai Lamas' Ganden Phodrang government before the relocation to the Potala Palace.[1][3] As one of the "Three Great Seats" of the Gelug school alongside Sera and Ganden monasteries, Drepung emphasized rigorous training in Buddhist sutra and tantra, producing influential scholars and administrators who shaped Tibetan religious and political life for centuries.[4] Its colleges, such as Loseling and Gomang, specialized in medicine, astrology, and dialectics, attracting monks from across Tibet and fostering a community that wielded significant economic power through land holdings and trade.[2] The monastery's influence peaked in the 17th and 18th centuries under the Fifth Dalai Lama, who centralized Gelug authority and integrated it into the emerging Tibetan state structure.[5] The monastery's prominence declined sharply following the 1950 Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet and the 1959 uprising, which prompted mass monk expulsions and flight into exile; subsequent depredations during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) resulted in the destruction of many buildings, artifacts, and scriptures, reducing the Lhasa site's monk population to a few hundred under state-imposed limits.[6] In response, exiled branches reestablished in southern India, particularly Drepung Loseling and Gomang in Karnataka, now sustain thousands of monks, preserving Gelug lineages, education, and rituals amid ongoing restrictions in Tibet.[7][8]Location and Physical Setting
Geographical Position and Environment
Drepung Monastery is located approximately 5 kilometers west of central Lhasa, in the western suburbs of the city, within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.[9][10] The site occupies the southern slopes of Mount Gambo Utse (also known as Mount Gephel), at an elevation of about 3,800 meters above sea level.[11][12] The monastery's position in a valley on the mountain's hillside provides a natural defensive and scenic setting, with the complex built in terraced layers ascending the slope.[13] From a distance, the whitewashed buildings clustered against the green foothills resemble a heap of rice grains, from which the name "Drepung" (Tibetan for "rice heap") derives.[2] The surrounding terrain features rocky hillsides and the expansive Tibetan Plateau, offering panoramic views of Lhasa and nearby mountains.[14] The environment is typical of the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau, with a cold semi-arid climate marked by long, harsh winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing and short summers reaching mild highs around 20°C.[15] Precipitation is low, averaging under 500 mm annually, mostly during the July-August monsoon, while the dry conditions and intense solar radiation at this altitude contribute to a stark, arid landscape punctuated by seasonal grasses on the slopes.[16]
Architectural Layout and Key Features
Drepung Monastery's layout sprawls across the slopes of Mount Gambo Utse in a dense, interconnected array of buildings, often arranged in three horizontal layers per unit, evoking a mandala pattern with central halls encircled by radiating colleges and chapels.[17][9] The structures feature white walls, golden roofs, and red eaves, scattered along mountain paths typically traversed clockwise by visitors.[18] At the core lies the Coqen Hall, also known as the Tsogchen or main assembly hall, a three-story edifice designed to seat thousands of monks for communal rituals and teachings; its upper floor houses a massive statue of the monastery’s founder, Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden.[9][19] Adjacent central features include the Ganden Phodrang palace, which served as an early residence for the Dalai Lamas, and various Kamcuns or debating courtyards.[9][20] The complex organizes around four principal colleges, or zhacangs—Loseling (Blo-gsal gling, the largest), Gomang (sGo-mang), Deyang (bDe-dbyangs), and Shagkor (Shag-skor)—each functioning semi-autonomously with dedicated assembly halls, dormitories, and chapels focused on distinct aspects of Gelug scholasticism; a smaller tantric college supplements these for esoteric studies.[21][22] Loseling alone encompasses 26 sub-dialectical houses (dratsangs), underscoring the site's scale as Tibet's largest monastic institution prior to mid-20th-century disruptions.[18]Founding and Early History
Establishment by Jamyang Choje
Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden (1397–1449), a direct disciple of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, established Drepung Monastery in 1416 CE at a site approximately 8 kilometers west of Lhasa in central Tibet.[23][24] Tsongkhapa, recognizing his student's scholarly acumen and devotion, entrusted Jamyang Choje with a white conch shell treasure revealed near Ganden Monastery and instructed him to found a new monastic seat to propagate Gelug teachings. The establishment received patronage from Namkha Zangpo, the Pakmodru ruler of Sne'u and a regional lord under the Phag mo gru pa regime, who provided land and resources for construction.[25][23] The chosen location on a hillside resembling a heap of uncooked rice—reflected in the Tibetan name 'Bras spungs dgon pa, meaning "Monastery of the Rice Heap"—offered seclusion suitable for meditation and study while remaining accessible to patrons and pilgrims.[24][23] Initial construction focused on basic assembly halls and residential quarters for a small community of monks, emphasizing scriptural study, debate, and ritual practice aligned with Tsongkhapa's emphasis on Madhyamaka philosophy and vinaya discipline.[26] Jamyang Choje served as the first abbot, overseeing the monastery's organization and attracting early adherents through his lineage connection to Tsongkhapa, laying the foundation for its rapid expansion as a key Gelug institution.[24]Initial Growth and Gelug Integration
Following its establishment in 1416 by Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden (1397–1449), a principal disciple of Je Tsongkhapa, Drepung Monastery rapidly developed as a foundational center of the Gelug school, benefiting from the patronage of Namkha Zangpo, a ruler of the Phagmodrupa dynasty, who granted land and resources near Lhasa.[25] This support enabled the construction of initial assembly halls and residential quarters, attracting monks seeking instruction in Tsongkhapa's emphasis on vinaya discipline, logical debate, and Madhyamaka philosophy, which distinguished Gelug from other Tibetan Buddhist traditions.[27] Under Jamyang Choje's abbacy until 1449, the monastic population expanded through the influx of disciples trained in Tsongkhapa's reformed practices, establishing Drepung as one of the "three pillars" of Gelug alongside Ganden (founded 1409) and Sera (founded 1419 by another Tsongkhapa disciple, Chöje Shakya Yeshe).[27] [28] The monastery's curriculum integrated Tsongkhapa's texts, such as the Lamrim Chenmo, fostering a community focused on scholarly rigor over esoteric rituals prevalent in rival schools, which contributed to Gelug's doctrinal consolidation and appeal among Tibetan elites.[29] By the early 16th century, Drepung's integration into Gelug governance deepened when Gendün Gyatso (1476–1542), recognized as the second Dalai Lama, assumed the abbotship and revived the Monlam Chenmo (Great Prayer Festival) there in 1517, drawing thousands of participants and affirming the monastery's role in unifying Gelug rituals and patronage networks.[30] This event underscored Drepung's evolution from a nascent foundation to a pivotal hub for Gelugpa orthodoxy, with its abbots influencing the school's expansion amid Tibet's fragmented political landscape.[27]Expansion and Peak Influence
Development of Colleges
Following its founding in 1416 by Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden, Drepung Monastery rapidly expanded to accommodate increasing numbers of monks drawn to Gelugpa studies, leading to the subdivision into specialized colleges (dratsang) during the fifteenth century.[24] Initially structured around core facilities like an assembly hall and tantric hall, the institution evolved into seven colleges—Gomang, Loseling, Deyang, Shagkor, Gyalwa (also known as Tosamling), Dulwa, and Ngagpa—each focusing on distinct aspects of Buddhist philosophy, logic, and tantric practice.[24] Over time, mergers reduced the primary units to four: Gomang and Loseling for sutra studies, Ngagpa for tantra, and Deyang for a balance of sutra and tantra, enabling structured monastic education that peaked with over 7,760 residents by the early twentieth century.[24] Gomang College, the oldest, was established in the early fifteenth century by Drung Drakpa Rinchen, a direct disciple of Jamyang Choje, initially utilizing the monastery's main assembly hall before relocating to its dedicated site.[21] It specialized in prajñāpāramitā literature and Madhyamaka philosophy, reflecting the foundational emphasis on profound emptiness teachings central to Gelugpa doctrine.[21] Loseling College emerged concurrently in the early fifteenth century under Lekden, another disciple of the founder, and gained prominence through the leadership of Jamyang Lekpa Chönjor (1429–1504), who served as the eighth throne-holder of Drepung.[21] Known for rigorous logic and epistemology training, it became the largest college, housing thousands of monks by the mid-twentieth century and emphasizing dialectical debate as a core pedagogical method.[24] Deyang College was formally founded in 1440 by Chokpa Jangchup Penden (1404–?), a Kadam tradition monk, with a curriculum centered on Dharmakīrti's Pramāṇavārttika for advanced logic and valid cognition studies.[21] It integrated sutra and tantra elements, serving as a bridge between philosophical debate and ritual practice. Ngagpa Dratsang, the tantric college, traces its origins to the monastery's establishment in 1416, with formalization likely under figures like Mönlam Pelwa (1414–1491), focusing exclusively on the four classes of tantra and esoteric rituals.[21][24] This structure supported Drepung's role as a premier Gelugpa university, where abbots from major colleges like Gomang and Loseling oversaw merged subunits, ensuring continuity in advanced scholastic training despite administrative consolidations.[24]Role in 16th-17th Century Tibetan Politics
In the early 16th century, Drepung Monastery solidified its political prominence within the Gelug tradition when the second Dalai Lama, Gendün Gyatso, assumed leadership of the institution in 1517 and constructed the Ganden Phodrang palace there in 1518, establishing it as his primary residence and an early center of administrative authority.[2][31] This development coincided with the restoration of the Great Prayer Festival (Mönlam Chenmo) under Gendün Gyatso's direction, involving approximately 1,500 Drepung monks and granting the monastery temporary governance over Lhasa during the 22-day event, thereby enhancing its influence in resolving disputes and managing public affairs.[2][32] The third Dalai Lama, Sönam Gyatso, further entrenched Drepung's role by ascending its throne in 1564, utilizing the monastery's strategic alliances, particularly with Mongol patrons, to advance Gelugpa political interests amid rivalries with other Tibetan sects.[2] During this period, Drepung's abbots and scholarly monks from its colleges contributed to diplomatic and doctrinal efforts that positioned the Gelug school for dominance, though the monastery faced occupations by Tsangpa forces amid ongoing civil conflicts from the 1430s onward.[2][1] The 17th century marked Drepung's apex in Tibetan politics under the fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, who, enthroned at the monastery, forged an alliance with Gushri Khan of the Khoshut Mongols, culminating in the defeat of Tsangpa rulers in 1642 and the establishment of the Ganden Phodrang government that year.[2][32] Drepung served as a core institutional pillar for this theocratic regime, receiving expanded land estates and providing administrative personnel from its ranks—particularly from Loseling and Gomang colleges—while functioning as the Dalai Lama's main seat until the completion of the Potala Palace later in the century; by the late 1600s, the monastery's population had grown to around 4,400 monks, underscoring its socioeconomic and political leverage.[2][1]Religious and Educational Framework
Curriculum and Monastic Training
Monastic training at Drepung Monastery begins with novices, often as young as six years old, who enter after taking initial vows and undergo preliminary studies in reading, writing, and basic Buddhist texts.[33] These early stages emphasize memorization of scriptures and foundational rituals, preparing monks for the rigorous philosophical curriculum central to the Gelug tradition.[34] The core curriculum spans approximately 15 to 20 years and focuses on five principal treatises derived from Indian Buddhist texts: Pramanavarttika on valid cognition (logic), Abhisamayalamkara on the perfections of wisdom, Madhyamakavatara on Madhyamaka philosophy, Abhidharmakosha on Abhidharma, and Vinaya texts on monastic discipline.[35] Instruction occurs through lectures, but the primary method of learning and assessment is dialectical debate, where monks challenge each other on doctrinal points in courtyard sessions, fostering analytical skills and deep comprehension.[36] This system is divided into preliminary courses (about four years), studies on soteriology including ground, path, and fruition (six years), Madhyamaka philosophy (six years), and Abhidharma with Vinaya (four years).[36] Advanced scholars, known as tsognyi or druptop, pursue higher degrees, culminating in the geshe examination after completing the full cycle, with levels such as lharampa (highest) awarded based on performance in rigorous oral debates before monastic assemblies.[37] At Drepung's colleges like Gomang and Loseling, this training integrates supplementary subjects such as Tibetan language, history, and optional modern topics like English or science, though the emphasis remains on traditional Buddhist philosophy.[36] Successful completion equips monks for roles as teachers, debaters, and administrators within the Gelug hierarchy.Significance in Gelug Tradition
Drepung Monastery, founded in 1416 by Jamyang Chöje Tashi Palden—a direct disciple of Je Tsongkhapa, the originator of the Gelug tradition—emerged as one of the school's foundational institutions, alongside Ganden and Sera, forming the "three great seats" (densa chenpo) central to Gelug scholasticism.[24][38] This establishment reflected Tsongkhapa's emphasis on rigorous philosophical inquiry and monastic discipline, positioning Drepung as a hub for studying the Five Great Treatises and integrating sutra and tantra curricula.[2] By the 17th century, under the Fifth Dalai Lama's patronage, Drepung solidified its role as a pillar of Gelug orthodoxy, influencing doctrinal dissemination across Tibet.[2] The monastery's educational framework, organized through colleges like Loseling and Gomang, specialized in Madhyamaka dialectics, Prajñāpāramitā exegesis, and tantric practices, fostering daily debate sessions that epitomized Gelug's commitment to logical analysis and textual mastery.[2][24] These institutions produced generations of geshes—scholars who underwent up to 20 years of training—ensuring the tradition's intellectual continuity and adaptation of Indian Buddhist heritage to Tibetan contexts.[2] At its zenith in the early 20th century, Drepung accommodated over 10,000 monks, underscoring its scale as the largest Gelug center and a model for mass monasticism prioritizing scholarly vocation over lay practice.[2] Drepung's intimate ties to the Dalai Lama lineage further amplified its Gelug prominence; the first through fifth Dalai Lamas served as its throne-holders (tripa), with Ganden Phodrang—their original residence—erected on site and rebuilt by the third and fifth incumbents.[24] This association transformed Drepung into a de facto political and spiritual nexus, where Dalai Lamas received initiations and from which Gelug governance radiated, blending ecclesiastical authority with temporal power in pre-1950s Tibet.[2] Through such roles, Drepung not only preserved Tsongkhapa's vinaya-strict reforms but also propelled the Gelug school's ascendancy as Tibet's dominant tradition by the 17th century.[24]