TASHI DELEK!

Welcome to Gomang, the oldest college of the Tibetan Drepung Monastery. Drepung was the largest monastery in Tibet and in the world until the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. Thousands of monks had to flee to India to practice their religion. Originally 59, the number of monks of this monastic college in exile has grown to now 1900. Every year an average of 120 new monks arrive having great difficulties adjusting to the very hot climate and suffering from diseases unknown in Tibet. Many monks have  a bleeding stomach ulcers caused by the bad water quality. Malnutrition, tuberculosis and dysentery take their toll. The monastery cannot provide enough food, shelter and medical care for all of them. 200 of the monks are under the age of 18. Many of the children are orphans.

On this picture you can see all the monks in front of the new prayer hall which could be built thanks to supporters from all over the world.