Ten years ole he was conscripted to service as a monk pupil in Drepung Monastery, and it was harsh work.

Monastery Ritual:Monks remain deep in thought after an early morning prayer meeting at Drepung Monastery.

Of the architecture in the Zhaibung Monastery, the Coqen Hall and the Galdan Phobrang hold a very important position.

But Mr. Barnett said the remaining monks held the equivalent of a sit-down strike and were joined by an additional 100 monks from Drepung.

It has been seven to nine days since Drepung, Sera and Ganden Monasteries have been closed by the authorities, and they are still surrounded by riot police.