Monks in Bhutan are the custodians of many sacred artifacts of profound national significance found in more than 2000 monasteries, dzongs, and temples in Bhutan. These artifacts are Bhutan’s unique cultural, historical, and spiritual identity. Yet, they remain vulnerable to natural disasters, theft, fire, and gradual deterioration. Recognizing these threats, the Bhutan Foundation, in collaboration with the Central Monastic Body and with support from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), initiated the Conservation of Ancient and Historic Buddhist Ethnographic Objects project to safeguard Bhutan’s sacred antiquities through conservation and modern preservation tools.
Monks who otherwise have no connection to technologies are being trained in camera handling, lighting, and use of collection management systems to document, digitise and archive sacred relics. Today, monks preserve and conserve sacred artefacts with no technical assistance from experts.
The project documented and digitized more than 5,000 ancient Buddhist objects across 20 monasteries in six districts, a major step in safeguarding Bhutan’s cultural heritage. As part of the effort, the Natural Disaster and Art Theft Prevention Workshop helped shape Bhutan’s first National Plan for Heritage Protection, now under parliamentary review. According to Lopen Kencho, Project Manager with the Antiquities Department under the Central Monastic Body.
The project also introduced modern conservation techniques through collaborations with international experts – from Japanese specialists in paper and textile preservation to U.S. artist Beatrice Coron and U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Ariana Maki, who engaged monks, artists, and youth in reimagining sacred symbols with contemporary design tools. To reach a wider audience, the Zhung Dratshang Conservation Center launched a YouTube channel. Despite staffing challenges and technical skills among monks, the initiative proves how modern tools can strengthen the guardianship of sacred knowledge.
