The Sherpas are traditionally Tibetan Buddhists of the Nyingmapa sect, and have drawn much of their religious tradition from the Rongphu monastery, located at 16,000 feet on the north side of Mount Everest. They are also associated with the Red Hat sect, a religion named after the colour of the monks' hats at formal occasions. This includes the three oldest of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.