Sera
Monastery lies 4 km north of Lhasa, and
was one of only eight [of some 3000] monasteries
in all of Tibet to be spared the vicissitudes
of the Cultural Revolution. It is here that
the monks' famous daily debates take place,
at 3.30pm. They are highly stylized with
much clapping and stamping, and always attract
many spectators. Photos are no problem,
which is very rare in Tibet, so make the
best of it. Sky burials are still occasionally
practiced at Sera, although they are much
less common than they used to be because
of the unholy and unhealthy interest shown
by tourists. It is considered the height
of indecency to intrude upon a sky burial.
[The deceased is chopped into pieces and
left on the mountains for the vultures.]
Keep well away, curiosity notwithstanding.
