The 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche The successive incarnations of Khamtrul Rinpoche played an outstanding role in spreading the Dharma in general and the lineage in specific ways. After escaping Tibet after the Chinses invasion, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche tried to settle in several places like Kalimpong and Dalhousie. Finally, he came to Tashi Jong and built a monastery with assistance from his followers. Many scholars and emanations were invited and then teachings and studying of Kagyu texts started. Along with some Rinpoches, Ven. Khenpo Zangpo Bodh raised funds for the Institute. H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche conferred the professor degree to Khenpo Zangpo Bodh. Khenpo then gave teachings and trainings to the monk-students for several years. That the Institute was able to maintain its existence today is due to the effort of many Rinpoches and Khenpo Zangpo, who worked tirelessly for the benefit of the Institute. Subsequently, Khentse Yeshi Rinpoche built a new dialectical institute [shedra] at Tashi Jong. Since then leading Professor Ven.Khenpo Losal Zangpo Bodh and some other scholars have been working hard in retaining the institute In 2003, about 20 moks started learning teachings of Indian and Tibetan scholars and in particular Druk Kunchen Pema Karpo commentaries of Drukpa Lineage masters. Presently our institute, Khamgar Druk College, has 150 monks and continues to attract more and more students from Tibet, Bhutan and the Himalayan regions of the Drukpa Kagyu Lineage. It’s reputation as one of up and coming learning centre for the Drukpa lineage is due to the extraordinary efforts of the Khenpos and teachers

Dongyu Gatsal Ling

Tashi Jong is also home to Dongyu Gatsal Ling .This Drukpa Kagyu Tibetan Buddhist Nunnery was founded in 2000 for young women from Tibet and other Himalayan regions like Ladakh, Spiti,and Kinnaur. It has been established near Tashi Jong by a western nun, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, a disciple of the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, to fulfill her Guru's wish that women have the same opportunity to practice as the men had. Dongyu Gastsal Ling offers a strong program of Dharma education comprising all aspects of Dharma study, debating, meditation and ritual practices. When completed, it will support 200 nuns.

Diane Perry, a British woman, who became the first fully ordained Western Buddhist nun, Drubgyu Tenzin Palmo, runs this nunnery. She has a multi faceted personality and has written many books. Her biography, Cave in The Snow, tells all about her and her 12 year solitary retreat in a cave in the snowy mountains of northern India, and the effects of her Buddhist experiences on her life thereafter.