Foundation of Samdrup Dargeyling Monastery

The establishment of Samdrup Dargeyling Monastery in 1971 marked a significant chapter in
Bhutan’s spiritual history. This endeavor was made possible through the visionary generosity of the
Third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who granted land to Tibetan refugees to
live. Among these, the serene village of Begana, near Thimphu, became the chosen site for
Rinpoche and his followers to build the
monastery.
The foundation of Samdrup Dargeyling Monastery was laid with the noble purpose of preserving
and promoting the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. At the heart of the
monastery’s spiritual essence lies Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, one of the
most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism.
The monastery enshrines its main kuten, a sacred statue of Guru Rinpoche, as well as the
Khandoma Singye Dongpachen, both of which hold immense spiritual significance. These
sacred objects serve as focal points of devotion, meditation, and rituals, solidifying the monastery’s role as a bastion of spiritual practice and cultural preservation in Bhutan.