Samye Monastery...the Utse...

SOME HISTORY
Samye Monastery was Tibet's first monastery and has a long history, spanning over 1200 years! It represents the state's first efforts to allow Buddhism to set down roots in the country. The Bon religion prevailed in Tibet at this time and for a long time prior to Buddhism coming to the fore. Shortly after the founding Tibet's first seven monks were ordained here, and Indian and Chinese scholars were invited to assist in the translation of Buddhist texts into Tibetan. Before long, disputes erupted between followers of Indian and Chinese scholarship. These disputes culminated in the Great Debate of Samye, an event regarded as a crucial point in the course of Tibetan Buddhism. This was a debate over the approach to Buddhism, with the Indian approach being via textual study and scholarship, and the Chinese approach less about scholarly study and more about direct contemplation on the absolute nature of Buddhahood. The debates came out on the side of the Indian scholars, and Tibetan Buddhism, as we know it, was born.
Samye is deeply connected with Guru Rinpoche, who it is said killed the demons of Tibet on a hill overlooking the valley. Destroying these demons paved a safe path for Buddhism to enter Tibet.