Debating Monks at the Sera Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet on 19 August 2010

These Tibetan monks are debating Buddhist philosophy. It should be remembered that the Chinese regime will not allow debate on religion or politics. When the standing monk feels he has presented a particularly good argument, he starts a baseball-like wind-up, followed by a resounding clapping of his hands together. Conversely, if he feels he has failed to deliver his point, he slaps the back of one hand to the palm of the other, like a backward clap. The whole scene is quite a sight to see. Most people generally perceive monks as reserved people; my perception of them was of being very lively and with a great sense of humour.

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• Sera
• Lhasa
• debate
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[1flowmedia]

@XinRen8 Yes

[XinRen8]

You claim that the Chinese regime will not allow debate on religion or politics, and yet these monks can debate Buddhist philosophy seems so freely. Which is it?