Picture of Monks posing after their heated debating session (Sakya, China)

Monks posing after the debating session is over, Sakya monastery

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Unfortunately under restoration during my visit, the monks made my visit to this fortress-like monastery memorable because of an unexpected debating session.
Sakya town appeared like a wild-west town, with a few streets and a different atmosphere of towns I had previously visited in this region. It also seemed special because of the remarkable way in which the older houses were painted: dark grey with vertical red and white stripes - it reminded me of Dondrubling monastery in Jyekundo. Not surprisingly, because it is the seat of the Sakyapa order of Tibetan buddhism, originating in the 11th century. A descendant of its foremost masters, Sakya Pandita, was a tutor of the Khublai Khan, and the sect later became linked to the contemporary occupation by Mongolians. The influence of the Mongols can be seen in the very structure of the Sakya monastery. Unlike other monasteries in Tibet, it looks like a massive, square fortress with insuperable walls surrounding it, and four watchtowers integrated into the wall as further reinforcement.
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