Tibetan Settlements
Namdroling Monastery
(http://www.palyul.org/eng...) is located between the 3rd and 4th camps, and with around 3,000 monks is the largest Nyingma monastery outside of Tibet. It is especially famous for its three copper and gold plated statues of Buddha one 60 Ft. high and the other two 58 Ft. high located in the Golden Temple. In accordance with the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, sacred scriptures and stupas have been placed inside these statues as a means of consectration. This monastery is popular with local Tibetans who attend rituals ceremonies pujas, and visitors are very welcome to stroll around the monastery grounds and may freely turn the prayer wheels and circumambulate the stupas. According to Tibetan belief, turning prayer wheels disseminates the prayers to the five directions. 'Wind Horses' lungta, which are flags enscribed with prayers, have the same function.Sera
This monastic community is comprised of two monasteries, Sera Jey and Sera Mey, and with a combined population of almost 5,000 it is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastic communities outside of Tibet. A "Welcome to Sera" booklet 15 Rs. in available from the shop opposite Siddhartha guesthouse and at the Tibet Network internet café.