Buddhism was introduced in Bhutan in the 7th Century by Guru Padma Sambhava. In the centuries that followed, Bhutan was home to many sages and saints including the great saints-scholars like Longchen Ramjam (1308-1363). Various schools of Buddhism in Bhutan assimilated other earlier practices and beliefs. The aspiration towards enlightenment and the belief in the innate goodness of human beings are widely shared among Buddhists and majority of the Bhutanese are Buddhists. Hinduism is another religion, pratised particularly in southern Bhutan. The Hindu religion as pratised by southern Bhutanese has many common saints and divinities with vajrayana, the school of Buddhism prevalent in Bhutan.

Buddhism has a significant influence on the values of the Bhutanese and has shaped the institutions, orgnisations, arts, drama, architecture, literature and social structure. Bhutan's culture, as in other societies, is continually adapting itself in the face of development.

The importance of religious institutions in present day Bhutan, as signified by the strength of the monk body who number about 5000 in Dratshangs or Rabdeys supported by the state. The Rabdeys are based mainly in Dzongs (Fortress). Each Rabdey is headed by Lam Neten who is appointed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Head Abbot) , the elected Head of the Central Monk Body. His Holiness the Jekhenpo is the chairman of the nine-member Dratshang Lhentshog. Monks continue to play an important role in the daily lives of the people in performing religious ceremonies, and in promoting and preserving traditional scholarship. They are also actively involved in the development whole constantly renewing their relevance to society in times of change.

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