The Phyang Monastery was established in 1515. The current head ‘Lama’ or teacher is His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. Drikung Kagyu is one of the eight "minor" lineages of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The distinguishing factors of the Kagyu from other forms of Himalayan Buddhism are the esoteric instructions and tantra’s that are underlined along with lineages of transmission that they follow. The monastery has been recently refurbished and over 80 craftsmen and painters have put their skills into it.