Monasteries are the learning centres for Buddhism doctrine, also called “dharma”. Monks study the Buddhist texts and sutras in order to achieve the highest level of understanding and must go through a rigorous series of classes, some lasting up to two years each. Studying is composed of understanding the writings of Buddha and also a lot of memorizing. Debating is also an integral part of studying and monks practice this art in daily sessions. This involves groups of two or more where a “defender” sits and a “challenger” stands…

They are called the three sisters. The Jinsha, the Nujiang and the Lancang, better known as the Salween, the Mekong and the Yangtze. Three rivers who originate in the Tibetan mountain ranges, running north to south, carving their way through an incredible landscape of sheer cliffs, snow caped mountains and green valleys….