Ralung

Ralung belongs to the central Tibetan highlands near the Nyang and Tsang world, where a religious center stands within a wider landscape of cultivation and pasture. Valleys provide limited fields and settlement, while uplands support herds and seasonal movement. Routes connect communities with neighboring districts, carrying food, materials, pilgrims, and teachings. The practical life of a monastery depends on these surrounding households and resource relationships.

Founded in 1180 by Tsangpa Gyare, Ralung became a traditional seat of the Drukpa Kagyu Buddhist lineage. Religious leadership, teaching and patronage connected the monastery with communities beyond its valley. In 1616 its abbot Ngawang Namgyal left Tibet for Bhutan after a dispute over religious succession and conflict with the ruler of Tsang. He subsequently became a major figure in Bhutan's religious and political history. The monastery's influence thus extended across the Himalayas, even as its daily life depended on surrounding communities and resources.