Empowering monks and nuns as informed custodians of Bhutan’s heritage
ZDPACC began as a small thangka conservation workshop in a borrowed room, with humble tools and a handful of dedicated monastics committed to caring for Bhutan’s sacred heritage. From these beginnings, the work grew into a broader mission: to support the Zhung Dratshang in its enduring role as custodian of Bhutan’s living cultural and spiritual heritage.
Today, ZDPACC combines three interrelated areas of work. Antiquities Collection Management ensures sacred objects are documented, safeguarded, and preserved. Conservation Studios provide ethical, culturally grounded care for thangka, textiles, paper, and objects. Research and Outreach deepen understanding, support informed decision-making, and share knowledge with monastics, scholars, and the wider public.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to empower monks and nuns as informed custodians. By providing training, knowledge, and skills, ZDPACC helps ensure that Bhutan’s heritage continues to thrive far into the future.
Who We Are
Our Vision
To ensure the Zhung Dratshang endures in perpetuity as the custodian of Bhutan’s living cultural and spiritual heritage, identity, and sovereignty.
Our Mission
To support and facilitate training, knowledge, and skills that strengthen informed decision-making by monks and nuns as custodians of Bhutan’s living heritage.