The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its well-being. Annual festivals (tsechus and dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district and are dedicated to either Guru Rimpoche or other deities.

Throughout Bhutan, stupas and chortens line the roadside commemorating a place where Guru Rimpoche or another Shabdrung may have stopped to meditate. Prayers flags are even more common. Fluttering on longs poles, they maintain constant communication with the heavens.

Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion.

To ensure the perpetuation of Buddhism in the Kingdom, one son from each family normally attends monastic school. While the Dzongs are the centers of administrative and government activities for the entire valley they are predominate the homes and temples of the monastic community.