The present Kathok Yosel Samtenling Monastery was constructed with the great initiative of the Fifth Kathok Situ Rinpoche Jamgoen Chhoki Dorjee on the advice of Lord His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche. The construction of the two-storied temple began in the year 1998 with the foundation stone being laid by His Holiness Kathok Situ Rinpoche. The construction was completed in 2002 with all Ku Sung Thukten and relics. The consecration ceremony took place in the same year, which was presided over by Kyabje Jadral Rinpoche and Kathok Situ Rinpoche.
According to oral accounts at one point in time, there was a huge temple at this location but it happened to be destroyed by the fire about hundred years ago to which the ruins are seen even today. It was said that the name of that monastery was called Zangtenkha Goenpa, which means “temple on a copper bowl laying face down”. People say that the shape of the location on which the temple was situated is similar to a prone copper bowl.
During His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche visit to Bhutan, it was said to the gathering by Rinpoche that it was mentioned in Gurtai Chhoejung that the place at one point in time was a seat of Ter Say Drakpa Yoedzer who practiced Longchen Nyingthik tradition. Jadral Rinpoche advised the two sponsors to revive the place and the Longchen Nyingthik tradition. Hence, Kathok Situ took the initiative of the construction of the present monastery.
In 2004, His Holiness Kathok Rinpoche established a unit of Sangha (monks) who are fully concentrating on the study and practice of Buddha Dharma today.
