Dechen Phodrang Monastic School

One of the largest and oldest monastic schools in Bhutan, housing approximately 450 student monks under the Central Monastic Body (Zhung Dratshang). Located in the Dechen Phodrang monastery above Thimphu, the school provides both traditional Buddhist education including scripture memorization, ritual practice, and Buddhist philosophy, as well as basic secular subjects such as English and mathematics. The monastery itself dates to the 12th century and contains important 12th-century slate carvings and a sacred painting attributed to Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who brought the Drukpa Kagyu tradition to Bhutan.