Founded in 1416, Drepung Monastery (Tibetan: Zhébàng Sì) on the outskirts of Lhasa was once Tibet’s largest and most influential monastery, with over 10,000 monks. Today, Drepung remains an active monastery and attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
Drepung is especially known as the site of the annual Shoton Festival, with its dramatic unfurling of a giant thangka on the hillside.
Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamyang Choeje, and was the seat of the Dalai Lamas before the “Great Fifth” Dalai Lama built the Potala Palace.
Many buildings survived the Cultural Revolution, but the order now pays a price for its prominent role in the pro-independence demonstrations of 1987.
On September 27, 1987, about 20 Drepung monks unfurled banners and the Tibetan flag, and marched around the Barkhor before being arrested in front of the TAR Government Headquarters.
This was a remarkable action, as the monastic college had sided against independence. Today, a Public Security Bureau compound sits below the monastery, and “cadre monks” keep a close eye on day-to-day activities
