Ancient strongholds and modern havens alike join forces to carry the Drukpa Kagyu flame forward. Up in the misty heights of Central Tibet, Ralung Monastery still stands as the original cradle where Tsangpa Gyare and his followers first took root back in the 12th century. Not far behind in historical weight is Drug-Ra Monastery near Lhodrak, where seminal teachings on the “Six Yogas of Naropa” continue to echo through its prayer halls.

Hemis Monastery in Ladakh wears its Drukpa Kagyu identity proudly, blending Himalayan fortitude with a vibrant annual festival that draws pilgrims and curious travelers. Across the border in Nepal, Druk Sangag Choeling on the southern slopes of the Kathmandu Valley offers a serene perch for nyinthun retreats, while the recently expanded Druk International Retreat Centre at Kopan has become a favorite for Western students seeking the lineage’s heart teachings.

Bhutan, often called Druk Yul or “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” bathes in Drukpa devotion: Punakha and Tashichho Dzongs still host royal blessings; Tango and Cheri monasteries above Thimphu shepherd monks through rigorous three-year retreats; and the newly inaugurated Druk Namgyal Kungdak sheds fresh light on traditional iconography through its contemporary chapel murals.

Modern offshoots abroad bring the lineage into global conversations. Druk Amitabha Mountain in the Indian Himalayas, recently celebrated for hosting a sustainably powered prayer-flag ceremony, pairs cliff-side caves with eco-friendly lodges. In Europe, tiny Druk Pema Karpo retreat cabins near Marseille offer a taste of Bhutanese hospitality—complete with butter tea and teaching transmissions by visiting Rinpoches.

Together, these monasteries and retreat centers—from the snow-capped slopes of Tibet to the foothills of the French Riviera—form a living mosaic. Each site, whether venerable or newly minted, keeps that ancient Drukpa spark flickering brightly in our ever-changing world.