(Baonghean.vn) - If we asked you what a large student dormitory looks like, you might imagine really tall, modern apartment buildings. However, in Sichuan, China, things are a little different.
Larung Gar Buddhist Academy (also known as Serthar Buddhist Academy) in China is home to 40,000 monks and nuns. It is the largest Buddhist academy in the world. It is located in a separate area, nearly 600 km from Chengdu.
When they come to study here, monks and nuns are not allowed to use television, but they are allowed to use mobile phones. The monks and nuns' accommodation is separated by a winding road in the middle.
The academy was founded in 1980 in the deserted valley by Jigme Phuntsok, an influential lama of the Nyingma tradition.
The photographs, taken by Jesse Earl Rockwell, 32, from Santa Barbara, California, also show some very distinct traditions in the area. Among them is the practice of 'sky burial', where the deceased is placed in a boat, waiting for vultures to pick at the body.
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| Thousands of houses are built close together along the hillsides in China. |
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| Students come here to study, listen to Buddhist teachings and live a quiet life in this mountainous area. |
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| The campus and dormitory are located in Sichuan province, China. |
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| The 32-year-old photographer's photo collection also captures the unique traditional features of this place. |
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| The brightly colored, similarly structured houses are home to 40,000 monks and nuns, creating a unique architectural feature in this sacred land. |
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| View of the academy from the top of the mountain. The photos were taken during the photographer's 6-day visit. |
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| The academy was founded in 1980, located at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level. |
Central and South
(According to Metro)
