Introduction of Sera Jey Monastery

INTRODUCTORY HISTORY

Sera Jey Monastery was founded by Venerable Jetsun Kunkhen Lodroe Rinchen Senge of 15 century AD, he who was a master at the Drepung Monastery and devoted and noble disciple of the great Lama Tsong Khapa of 14^th century AD. who is the founder of the Gelug Order.

History and legend has borne the records of the magnificent accounts that led to the birth of Sera Monastery and the subsequent establishment of Sera Jey Monastery. It was when Lama Tsong Khapa, the master and founder of Gelug Order, during one of his deep prayer and meditation on Manjushri behold the vision in which he clearly saw the entire text of Prajnyapara-mitta's 20 slokas on Shunyata spread over the sky. The unique moment spelled upon him total insight in the complete knowledge of Tsawasehrab or Fundamentals of Madhyamikka or Shunyata Text.

Simultaneously, he beheld the vision of a rain like A characters descending from the sky. This was an auspicious symbol to his prophesies on the birth of a great source of learning on Buddhism. This, after twelve years, Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe acting upon the supreme wishes of his Master, began establishing the proper Seat of learning where knowledge of complete teachings and practices of Mahayana Tradition are imparted and pursued.

Nedong King Dagpa Gyaltsen gave financial support for the construction of a Monastery and laid down the foundation in the year1419. All the subsequent development including installing sacred Images and other objects of worships were completed according to the supreme wishes of great Lama Tsongkhapa. It was soon known as the Seat of Theckchen ling or Seat of Mahayana Tradition. It is said that name SERA came to be attached with this great Monastery from its location being surrounded by raspberry shrubs called Sewa in Tibetan that formed like a Rawa, which means Fence in Tibetan. In the following years very soon the fame of this great Monastery as a great seat of learning Gelug tradition spread all across Tibet and elsewhere in Buddhist influenced neighboring countries.

JETSUN CHOEKYI GYALTSEN

Jetsun Choekyi Gyaltsen (1464 - 1544) is the author master of the Monastery's entire scriptural syllabus. His Holiness is one of the most distinguished learned scholars in the history of Sera Jey Monastery. During his lifetime, He has extensively written many volumes on philosophical studies and authored several books on the works of Lama Tsong Khapa's two closest disciples. Later his works has been incorporated into the Monastic course, which form the integral part of the study curriculum, and is followed to this present day.

ORACLE & PROTECTING DEITY OF THE MONASTERY

Tamdin Yangsang (Haya Griva) is the protecting deity of Sera Jey Monastery. It was rightly given this place by venerable Kunkhenpa Lodroe Rinchen Senge, after significantly experiencing various forms of divine predictions and auspicious symbols, which led him to accept and initiate in the worshipping of this sacred and divine deity.

Haya Griva is the wrathful characteristics of Chenre sig (Avalokteshwara). The deity is well known for its supreme power in removing obstacles and also for its healing power.

Tokden Yonten Gonpo, father of Kunkhepa, a learned and firm devotee of Haya Griva deity, during the final days of his life, had offered to is beloved son the complete teachings of Pema Yangsang & Tandin, with the advice to commit oneself in complete devotion & follow them.

Kunkhenpa, as one of the most dedicated disciple of Lama Tsong Khapa, sought the virtuous advice and consent of his master. The all-knowing noble master laid his hand on the head of his learned disciple & scholar, blessing him to give his approval. An indentation mark of the saintly master's palm was left on the head of the devoted pupil Kunkhenpa. Thus leaving a memorable legend to the history of Tamdin Yangsang /Haya Griva's emergence as the sacred deity of Sera Jey Monastery. From thereafter, Kunkhenpa institutionalised Tamdin Yangsang / Haya Griva as the Deity of Sera Jey Monastery.