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, bring with it a reverence for the land and its well- being. Annual festivals (Tshechu and Dromches) are spiritual occasions in each district. They bring together the population of the district and are dedicated to either Guru Rimpoche or the other deities.
Throughout Bhutan, stupas and chortens line the roadside commemorating a place where Guru Rimpoche or another Shabdrung may have stopped to meditate. Prayer flags are even more common. Fluttering on long 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 the normally attends monastic school. While the Dzongs are the centres of administrative and government activities for the valley; they are predominantly the hoes and temples of the monastic community.
