Monastics and lay people gathered to attend a session of the Annual Winter Debate watching as His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at the Drepung Gomang debate ground to attend a session of the Annual Winter debate (Jang Günchöe), a gathering of monastics from the monasteries of the Geluk tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
His Holiness the Dalai Lama watching the debate presentation during the session of the Annual Winter Debate at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
His Holiness the Dalai Lama watching the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Monks from the Pali Tradition watching the debate presentation at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
A View of many of the more than 11,000 people gathered at the Drepung Gomang debate ground during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
Three monks answering questions at the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Two monks jostling for position to be able to ask questions at the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Members of the audience watching the debate presentation on a big screen during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and senior monastics watching the debate presentation at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Monks distributing bread to members of the gathering during the debate presentation at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
A view of the Buddha Statue on the alter behind His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the debate presentation at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
A group of monks asking questions to the monks defending their positions during the debate presentation at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Two of the monks defending their positions discussing answers to questions at the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
A senior monk in the audience adding his questions at the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
A group of monks energetically asking a question together at the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
The Abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery Jigme Gyatso posing questions to the monks defending their position during a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
A view from behind the monks defending their positions during the a session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
His Holiness the Dalai Lama watching the debate presentation during a session of the Annual Winter Debate at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
A young monk carrying cups to give to those without mugs for the tea being offered during the session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lamaat the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
A monk distributing special sweets to the congregation during the session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lamaat the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
A young monk helping to keep the venue clean during the session of the Annual Winter Debate attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu
His Holiness the Dalai Lama after attending a session of the Annual Winter Debate at the Drepung Gomang debate ground in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on January 4, 2026. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
