Starting on the kora (the pilgrim's path).
Starting on the kora (the pilgrim's path).

The kora is a 3km clockwise circumambulation of the entire monastery.

The first bank of prayer wheels.
The first bank of prayer wheels.

There are over 1,000 prayer wheels in all.

By turning a prayer wheel, one gains merit.
By turning a prayer wheel, one gains merit.
Some pilgrims advance by a repeated series of prostrations.
Some pilgrims advance by a repeated series of prostrations.
She will place her feet where her hands are now.
She will place her feet where her hands are now.
Two Chinese boys, not understanding, seem to think they are witnessing a medical emergency.
Two Chinese boys, not understanding, seem to think they are witnessing a medical emergency.
Replacing worn prayer wheels.
Replacing worn prayer wheels.
A chorten (Tibetan stupa).
A chorten (Tibetan stupa).

One circles each chorten in a clockwise direction. 

The kora wends its way between the monastery and a steep hill on the back side.
The kora wends its way between the monastery and a steep hill on the back side.
A time for contemplation.
A time for contemplation.

There are no prayer wheels or chortens on the back side of the monastery.

Overlooking the monastery from the back side.
Overlooking the monastery from the back side.
Housing for the monks.
Housing for the monks.

The monastery once housed 4,000 monks.  It now houses between 1,600 and 1,800.

The journey continues.
The journey continues.
Meditation cubicles on the hillside.
Meditation cubicles on the hillside.
Back of the main meeting hall.
Back of the main meeting hall.
Nearing the end of the kora.
Nearing the end of the kora.

Here, pilgrims again encounter many prayer wheels and chortens.

The center of the monastery is open to visitors.
The center of the monastery is open to visitors.
This Tibetan gentleman seemed happy to pose for me.
This Tibetan gentleman seemed happy to pose for me.
The Golden Chorten.
The Golden Chorten.
Three Tibetan ladies formally dressed. I do not know why.
Three Tibetan ladies formally dressed. I do not know why.
One of many religious sculptures made of yak butter.
One of many religious sculptures made of yak butter.
This is a fine example of Tibetan stone masonry.
This is a fine example of Tibetan stone masonry.
A view.
A view.
Visitors approach the main meeting hall.
Visitors approach the main meeting hall.

All of the monks gather at mid day for chanting and for instruction.

Most Tibetan boys receive primary education at a monastery school. Girls attend a Chinese school.
Most Tibetan boys receive primary education at a monastery school. Girls attend a Chinese school.
Advanced students.
Advanced students.

Labrang is home to six monastic colleges or institutes: esoteric buddhism, philosophy, theology, medicine, astrology, and law. 

larang7.jpg
Entering the meeting area.
Entering the meeting area.
Monks, wearing their yellow hats, assemble to chant before entering the main hall.
Monks, wearing their yellow hats, assemble to chant before entering the main hall.
An English speaking teacher in the school of philosophy.
An English speaking teacher in the school of philosophy.

I asked the difference between the Panchen Lamma and the Dali Lamma.  Cheerfully, he replied, "It's like the difference between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant."  {How good is that?)

Starting on the kora (the pilgrim's path).
The first bank of prayer wheels.
By turning a prayer wheel, one gains merit.
Some pilgrims advance by a repeated series of prostrations.
She will place her feet where her hands are now.
Two Chinese boys, not understanding, seem to think they are witnessing a medical emergency.
Replacing worn prayer wheels.
A chorten (Tibetan stupa).
The kora wends its way between the monastery and a steep hill on the back side.
A time for contemplation.
Overlooking the monastery from the back side.
Housing for the monks.
The journey continues.
Meditation cubicles on the hillside.
Back of the main meeting hall.
Nearing the end of the kora.
The center of the monastery is open to visitors.
This Tibetan gentleman seemed happy to pose for me.
The Golden Chorten.
Three Tibetan ladies formally dressed. I do not know why.
One of many religious sculptures made of yak butter.
This is a fine example of Tibetan stone masonry.
A view.
Visitors approach the main meeting hall.
Most Tibetan boys receive primary education at a monastery school. Girls attend a Chinese school.
Advanced students.
larang7.jpg
Entering the meeting area.
Monks, wearing their yellow hats, assemble to chant before entering the main hall.
An English speaking teacher in the school of philosophy.
Starting on the kora (the pilgrim's path).

The kora is a 3km clockwise circumambulation of the entire monastery.

The first bank of prayer wheels.

There are over 1,000 prayer wheels in all.

By turning a prayer wheel, one gains merit.
Some pilgrims advance by a repeated series of prostrations.
She will place her feet where her hands are now.
Two Chinese boys, not understanding, seem to think they are witnessing a medical emergency.
Replacing worn prayer wheels.
A chorten (Tibetan stupa).

One circles each chorten in a clockwise direction. 

The kora wends its way between the monastery and a steep hill on the back side.
A time for contemplation.

There are no prayer wheels or chortens on the back side of the monastery.

Overlooking the monastery from the back side.
Housing for the monks.

The monastery once housed 4,000 monks.  It now houses between 1,600 and 1,800.

The journey continues.
Meditation cubicles on the hillside.
Back of the main meeting hall.
Nearing the end of the kora.

Here, pilgrims again encounter many prayer wheels and chortens.

The center of the monastery is open to visitors.
This Tibetan gentleman seemed happy to pose for me.
The Golden Chorten.
Three Tibetan ladies formally dressed. I do not know why.
One of many religious sculptures made of yak butter.
This is a fine example of Tibetan stone masonry.
A view.
Visitors approach the main meeting hall.

All of the monks gather at mid day for chanting and for instruction.

Most Tibetan boys receive primary education at a monastery school. Girls attend a Chinese school.
Advanced students.

Labrang is home to six monastic colleges or institutes: esoteric buddhism, philosophy, theology, medicine, astrology, and law. 

Entering the meeting area.
Monks, wearing their yellow hats, assemble to chant before entering the main hall.
An English speaking teacher in the school of philosophy.

I asked the difference between the Panchen Lamma and the Dali Lamma.  Cheerfully, he replied, "It's like the difference between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant."  {How good is that?)

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