In October 1985, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, the supreme head of the Drikung Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, founded the non-profit organization Drikung Kagyu Institute (DKI) in Dehra Dun, India. The Institute is registered under the Charitable Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. It’s primary aims are to preserve, promote and develop Buddhist philosophy and culture. The Drikung Kagyu Institute comprises four institutions: Jangchubling Monastery, Samtenling Nunnery, Songtsen Library, and Kagyu College.
The Drikung Kagyu Institute is a registered non-profit society dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhist culture, philosophy, literature, art, history and medicine.
Its activities involve the establishment and maintenance of monasteries, nunneries, colleges, libraries and retreat centers to provide traditional monastic education as well as education and resources for scholars, researchers, students and the general public.
In addition DKI also undertakes and supports related research and publication, as well as programs for the progressive development of the physically, socially, mentally, and economically challenged.
The Drikung Kagyu Office is at Jangchubling Monastery and Mr. Buchung Bukhar maintains the accounts of the Society and runs the office. The Kagyu College, Samtenling Nunnery, Jangchubling Monastery and Songtsen Library, Great Shravasti are branches of this Institute.
Present members of the Governing Body of the Drikung Kagyu Institute are:
- His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang- Chairman
- Dr. Tashi Samphe – Vice Chairman
- Khenpo Konchok Shesrab- General Secretary
- Khenchen Nyima Gyaltsen- Member
- Khenpo Konchok Rangdol- Member
- Khenpo Konchok Choskyab – Member
- Lama Gyaltsen- Member