More Lhasa and DriGung Til Monastery

I got to see the monks debating at Drepung monastery, which was quite amazing. They spend three hours a day debating - from what i understand that involves reenacting the original telling off, and spend the time manipulating their beads and clapping so loudly that you can hear it across the monastery.

on our final day we went to DriGung Til Monastery, north east of Lhasa. Unfortunately i had gotten ill the night before, so i slept through much of the two hour drive, and couldn't walk up more than three flights of stairs when we got there. What i did see of the drive was fantastic - more snow capped mountains and glacial blue rivers. It was wheat threshing day, so all the villagers were out and about running the yak (or tractor) round in circles.

On the road to DriGung Til

the monastery itself was beautifully situated, high up on the side of the valley. of course this meant a spine chilling drive up the narrow dirt track carved into the side of the valley. but then the whole drive was rather disturbing. it is a sky burial site as well, but i was never going to be able to manage to climb to the top of the hill.
The view from DriGung Til Monastery, north east of Lhasa.

because it was a remote monastery, the monks were very friendly. this monk was keen to get his photo taken. and we got an invite to join them for yak tea and prayer - dad had the tea, and we got to sit with them while they chanted, sang and drummed, which was quite amazing.