Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, Sertar – World’s Largest Buddhist Institute

What to See & Experience in Larung Gar Buddhist Academy

The Buddhist Courses

There are short education and long education in Larung Gar Buddhist Academy. Long education needs 6 years to finish, and some special degree needs even 13 years to get. Every apprentice has to be bone up to pass all the courses and a debate, so then he or she can get the degree given by the Khenpo (the Master). Since the principles in the academy are very strict, no monk is permitted to visit a nun even if they are siblings.

Spectacle Scenery of “Red River”

Standing on the hillside under the azure sky, surrounded by green fields, you can appreciate the most shining highlight of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, namely, the grant view of countless little cabins. Thickly dotted on the hillside, the cabins, where all the monks and nuns live in, spread for miles that you cannot see its ends, being the unique superb view in the world.

Splendid Night View

At night when all the apprentices stay in their own cabins, all the light lit. At this time, you can see the whole academy is extraordinarily glorious. Every cabin is like a shining colorful star surrounding the golden and silver temples, roads with sparkling golden and blue lights crossing the academy. The splendid nigh view makes Larung Gar Buddhist Academy an attractive photographic scenic spot.

The Sacred Mandala

This resplendent and magnificent building is on the highest peak of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy. The Mandala is the place where sacrificial Buddhist activities are held, and usually you can find many people turning their prayer wheels for worshipping here at the upper part of the Mandala. It is said that if you are ill, the sickness will be driven away after you turn the wheel here walkinig for 100 rounds.

The Devout Buddhist Seekers

On this land full of Buddhist culture, you can find a zillion devoted seekers here reading scriptures and leaning Buddhist course day and night in Larung Gar Buddhist Academy. No matter young or old, they all wear vermilion Buddhist robes. Set off by the blue sky, the dresses on the 20 thousand Buddhist seekers present exquisite and solemn.

How to Go to Larung Gar Buddhist Academy

Since Larung Gar Buddhist Academy is about 580 km from Chengdu and the road quality is poor, it takes about 9 hours to get there.

Go to Larung Gar Buddhist Academy By Bus:

There are some buses from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station to Serdar County. Depart in the early morning, for about 6-14 hours. (Buy the ticket in advance for 3 days, because the tickets to Sertar County are usually quickly sold out.) You can tell the driver to stop at the crossing of the academy, or you can take a minibus after reaching Sertar.

1. There are two places for stay in the Academy, the Larung Hotel (Tancheng Hotel), and the Fupin Guest House. Environment here is not bad.

2. You can also choose some better hotels around, like Seda Shengcheng Hotel, Seda Shengyu hotel and Seda Foyuan Hotel.

3. If you are lucky to meet a very kind Buddhist ascetic, you can live in his or her house and enjoy the meals.

Larung Gar Buddhist Academy provides vegetarian diet, and you can have meals in the small restaurants downhill but the prices are a little high.

Useful Tips to Visit Larung Gar Buddhist Academy

1. It is very wet and often cold in Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, so take enough clothes there. Especially from Oct. to Mar., the temperature is around 10 degree below zero. Take your raincoat, umbrella, anti-slip shoes for the frequent rain.

2. Since it takes a dozen hours to get to the academy and the bus seldom stops on the halfway, it is suggested to drink less.

3. The Buddhist Academy has an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. Take commonly used medicines to deal with urgent cases, like altitude stress, fever, etc. Clinic is accessible in the academy.

4. Take a camera to record the precious moments but do not focus on photography too much, because it is more important to experience the view and Buddhist culture of the academy. But please remember to obey the local rules and customs while photographing, especially when in a solemn situation.

5. Obey the disciplines in the academy, for example, no alcohol, no smoking, no fighting, etc.