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The Sera Monastery is the representative monastery of the Gelugpa of the Tibetan Buddhism. It lies on the southern slope of the Serawoze Mountain in the northern suburbs of Lhasa. The monastery was built by Sagya Yexei who was the devoted disciple of Tsongkhapa. It was completed in 1419.
Sera Monastery houses three colleges Sera Me college, Sera Je College and Ngagpa college. Sera Me college was the first one built, in 1419. It was later destroyed by a lightening strike, but restored in 1761. Its Chanting hall is remarkable. Sera Me is prestigious for its fine, undamaged murals. Sera Je college was first founded in 1435 and expanded by a Mongol king in seventeenth century. The building has five stories, covering a space of a thousand square meters. Its main hall contains 11 stupas of Ganden tripas and Ratreng tripas. The original Hynagriva statue is enshrined in its Hynagriva Chapel. Ngagpa college was established in 1559. The smallest of the three colleges, it houses its founder Jamchen Chojey's statue in its chanting hall.
Sera's collection of murals is maintained in perfect, original condition. Its statues of Maitreya, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats are very noteworthy. Scriptures written in gold powder, scroll paintings, a tapestry portrait of Jamchen Chojey, and thangkas can be seen throughout Sera.
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