Dechen Phodrang Monastery

Coordinates: 27°30′4″N 89°37′57″E / 27.50111°N 89.6325°E / 27.50111; 89.6325

Dechen Phodrang Monastery
Dechen Phodrang monastic school
Dechen Phodrang Monastery Location within Bhutan
Coordinates:	27°30′4″N 89°37′57″E / 27.50111°N 89.6325°E / 27.50111; 89.6325
Monastery information
Location	Thimphu, Bhutan
Type	Tibetan Buddhist
No. of monks	450

Dechen Phrodrang meaning "Palace of Great Bliss" is a Buddhist monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan. It is located to the north of the city.

Monks at Dechen Phodrang

Monks at Dechen Phodrang

In 1971 it became a monastic school and currently it has 450 student monks enrolled in eight-year courses with a staff of 15. The monastery contains a number of important historical Bhutanese artifacts including 12th century paintings monitored by UNESCO and a noted statue of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on the upper floor.^[1] In the downstairs chapel, there is a central Sakyamuni Buddha.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Dechen Phodrang". Windhorsetours.com. 2008. http://www.windhorsetours.com/sights/sights_view.php?placeid=635&country=bhutan. Retrieved November 4, 2008. 
2. ^ "Thimphu: Sights". Lonely Planet. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/bhutan/thimphu/sights/1000610871. Retrieved November 4, 2008.