Punakha Monastic School

The monastic school associated with Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Central Monastic Body where approximately 1,000 monks reside during the cooler months from October to May. The school provides traditional monastic education to young monks including scripture recitation, ritual arts, and Buddhist philosophy, within the walls of Bhutan's most historically significant dzong. Student monks at Punakha participate in the annual Punakha Tshechu and Drubchen festivals, gaining practical experience in the elaborate religious ceremonies that are central to Bhutanese spiritual life.