Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist country and is regarded as one of the Buddhist countries in which Buddhism flourished incessantly. It is believed that Buddhism in Bhutan was originally brought by the arrival of an Indian saint, Guru Padmasambhava in 746 AD. Later it was pervasively flourished in the country by different eminent Buddhist scholars like Phajo Drukgom Zhipo, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Lam Drukpa Kuenley (known as Devine mad man), Tertoen Pema Lingpa and many others.

The influence of religion is highly visible in everyday life as it permeates every aspect of life in Bhutan. One could see a temple on almost every mountain ridge, colorful prayer flags and stupas on every mountain pass, people crowded in the temples and scared places in important days. Bhutanese has profound worship of the Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava and numerous tantric deities. With the belief to add merit to one’s life, Bhutanese visit lamas, receive blessings, make offerings to monasteries, take part in religious festivals, participate in repair and maintenance of religious monuments, give alms and so on. Further, gracing of important occasion such as birth, death, marriage, official functions, household ceremonies, departure on trips, etc. have basically Buddhist essence.

Buddhism shaped the nation’s history and the lives of its people considerably. The Bhutanese language and literature, arts and architecture, ceremonies and festivals, and basic social and cultural values draw their essence from Buddhist values.