Global Treasures: Drepung

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1268

UPC: 883629689234

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Ten kilometers west of Lhasa is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. A pilgrimage trail leads up to Drepung, which was built in 1416 by a follower of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug Order, which is the earliest of the four main doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism.

The route to the monastery is quite arduous, as at an altitude of 5,600 metres the air is very thin. Along the way there are various colorful rock illustrations that give a foretaste of the Drepung Monastery.

Drepung was once the richest monastery in the whole of Tibet, and even with the country's troubled history, the monastery buildings are still very impressive. Fortunately, the complex was only slightly damaged during the Cultural Revolution, thus the throne of the Dalai Lama has remained intact.

The Cultural Revolution brought about much social change, and most of the monks escaped and sought exile abroad.

Thankfully, despite the political situation in Tibet, the monastery complex of Drepung still shines out in all of its glory.