This courtyard was about 100 feet off of the main road through Lhasa (Dekyi Shar Lam), through a small gate and down a short alley, and behind another wall. The monastery was quite large and impressive considering how hidden it was from the main street.
It was founded in the 1450's, and in it's day was the foremost Tantric College in Tibet. Students underwent what's described as a physically and intellectually greuling course of study. Once home to over 500 monks, Gyume was totally desecrated during the Cultural Revolution. Presently there is a growing number of monks in residence and it is again a fully functioning temple and college. We enjoyed a session of chanting by the monks of this monastery while we were visiting this main chapel. The rooftop views that follow were taken from the roof of this chapel.
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