Welcome

The Chökyi Gyatso Institute (CGI) in Dewathang, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan, started as a small temple built by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's maternal grandfather, the late Lama Sonam Zangpo. His great aspiration was for Khyentse Rinpoche to develop Dewathang into a ‘shedra’, a Buddhist college. In 1990, to fulfill his grandfather’s wish, Khyentse Rinpoche founded the CGI.

In 2003, the CGI entered a ten-year period of renovation. After a great deal of hard work supported by many different people, the new monastery has now entered its final stage of reconstruction.

The CGI offers more than 130 monks a thorough education in Buddhist philosophy. It also upholds the tradition and practice lineage of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, including annual drubchös and drubchens, based on Khandro Sangdü, Pema Tseyi Nyingtik, Vima Ladrub, Minling Dorsem and Phagma Nyingtik, as well as many other practices. As such, the CGI now functions as a ‘shedrub’, where monks are now able both to study and to practise the Buddhadharma.