The Sera Monastery is one of the three great Gelukpa monasteries near Lhasa. Gelukpa is now the major order of Tibetan Buddhism and is associated with the Dalai and Panchen Lamas. Although many of the outer buildings were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960’s, the principal buildings were left relatively intact. Three hundred monks now live there (before the Cultural Revolution nearly three thousand) and an attempt is being made to recommence the traditional course of study for which the monastery is renowned. Sera remains one of the best places to witness the monksperforming their afternoon debating rituals.