Around four decades ago, Tibetan Buddhist Master Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche shared a vision of a place of deep learning with writer Andrew Harvey near Shey Palace. After Rinpoche’s passing and subsequent reincarnation in Ladakh, young Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche, now in his mid-thirties, completed his master’s studies in Bhutan. Together with friends, he is now manifesting the old Master’s vision at Druk PadmaKarpo School in Shey.

Known as Druk Padma Karpo School (DPKS) locally, it honors the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and the revered scholar Padma Karpo from the 16th century. “Druk” means dragon in the local language, while “Padma Karpo” translates to White Lotus. Established in 1998, Druk Padma Karpo Educational Society (DPKES) oversees both the Shey school and a branch in Khachey, located about a five-hour drive away, managed by a dedicated School Managing Committee.

The project traces its roots to 1992 when Shey villagers sought His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa’s help in providing education for their children. A small group of students from England agreed to take on the project, and the village of Shey generously donated land for the school. Drukpa Trust, registered as a charity in England in 1992, initiated the search for architects, engineers, and funding. Architects Jonathan Rose and Duncan Woodburn collaborated with His Holiness to create a Master Plan based on a nine-square mandala. Subsequently, Jonathan joined Arup, and the firm undertook the project pro bono.

Construction began in 1998, and by September 2001, the Shey school opened its doors to students, with 88 accepted into Nursery and Lower Kindergarten. In 2013, the inaugural group of students successfully passed their matriculation exams, furthering their education.