The introduction of Buddhism occurred in the seventh century A.D. The legend has it, when the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (reigned A.D. 627-49), was ordered by Guru Rinpoche to have built 108 eight temples all over the Himalayas in order to subdue a demoness and to over come to build Lhasa Samye in Tibet. Of the 108 temples, two of the temples are in Bhutan one in Paro and the other in Bumtha. It is believed to have built on the left feet of the demon in Paro and left knee of the demon in Bumtha around 637A.D. These twin temples are the oldest temples in Bhutan and thus the arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan. Buddhism replaced but did not eliminate the Bon religious practices that had also been prevalent in Tibet until the late sixth century. Instead, Buddhism absorbed Bon and its believers. As the country developed in its many fertile valleys, Buddhism matured and became a unifying element.

In A.D. 747, a Buddhist saint, Padmasambhava (known in Bhutan as Guru Rimpoche and sometimes referred to as the Second Buddha), came to Bhutan from India at the invitation by the king of Chakar Valley, in Bumtha. The king was bed ridden cursed by the local deity after he forgot to worship him. Guru Rinpoche subdued the deity, returned the king's vital power, and was cured from his illness. After reportedly subduing eight classes of demons and converting the king to Buddhism, Guru Rimpoche has left for Tibet. Today one can still visit the cave where he meditated and left his body print on the rock where kurje temple stands today.

Bhutan is a land blessed by Guru Rinpoche and he hid many treasures to be revealed in future by the treasure discoverer, known as Tertons to help sentient beings. Bhutan has one of the most revered pilgrimages sites in the Tibetan Buddhist world referred as Baye-yul. Paro taksang temple known as the Tiger’s Nest, hanging on the face of a cliff, 3000mts high where it is believed that Guru Rinpoche came flying on the back of Tigress from Khenpa jong, kurtoe and meditated in order to subdue the demon known as Pado. Almost all the famous Tibetan saints visited this site and still today the living Buddhas from all over the world visits Bhutan to vist Paro taksang temple.

Offer a butter lamp and say prayers for your loving families who have left this world. Visit temples, receive teachings and enjoy the scenes together with cultures and traditions of Bhutan and you will leave a lasting memory for visiting in the footsteps of Guru Rinpoche. The pilgrimage tour is a blessing for those who long to see the living Buddhas of past, present and future.