Sera Jey, one of the major colleges of Sera Monastic University, was founded in Tibet in 1419 as a premier center for Gelug monastic scholarship, emphasizing sūtra study within the Nālandā tradition. However, despite this strong scholastic orientation, Most Secret Hayagrīva (rta mgrin yang sangs)—an explicitly tantric deity in yab-yum form—remains central to monastic life at the re-established Sera Monastery in India. His image is found not only in temples but also in hostels, restaurants, and offices, reflecting his institutional significance.
This paper examines the monastic rituals associated with Hayagrīva, particularly the annual serviceability retreat (las rung) and fire puja (sbyin sreg), both attended by the entire sangha. These rituals reinforce communal identity, forge ritual bonds, and negotiate the role of Vajrayāna within a monastic curriculum traditionally centered on scholasticism, highlighting the continued importance of esoteric practices in contemporary Gelug monasticism.