His Holiness the Je Khenpo arrived at the Pungthang Dewa Chhenpoi Phodrang yesterday for the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the Zhung Dratshang. A three-day ritual for Zhabdrung Kuchoe began yesterday.
This year marks 400 years since the establishment of the Zhung Dratshang or the Central Monastic Body. The construction of the Chari Monastery started in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), and was completed in two years. Before the completion of the monastery, Zhabdrung instituted his first sangha by enrolling 30 novice monks in 1621 at Chari.