Established in 2021, Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang is a Bhutanese Buddhist centre and temple in Perth, Western Australia.¹ Until May 2026 Lama Tshering Wangchuk served as its main spiritual teacher. Lama Khenchen Sonam now fulfills that role.² 

The establishment of Khamsum Zilnon reflects the recent rapid growth of Bhutanese migration to Perth. Since the lifting of restrictions in Australia after the COVID-19 pandemic, migration levels from Bhutan have risen rapidly and Perth now represents one of the largest overseas populations of Bhutanese outside Southeast Asia.³ 

The goal of Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang is to preserve and promote Vajrayana Buddhist teachings and Bhutanese culture as well as contribute to the overall harmony and diversity of Australian society. While observing annual Buddhist festivals, the centre also offers Tendril Ceremonies (Buddhist rituals to confer blessings and purification during weddings, for new homes, vehicles, and businesses); prayers for healing, meditation and Bhutanese language and cultural programs. Through these events Khamsum Zilnon seeks to maintain Bhutanese Buddhist traditions, foster cultural preservation and ensure the wellbeing of all.⁴ 

Through generous donations the Khamsum Zilnon community recently purchased land in Koondoola, Perth with the goal of developing a larger Bhutanese Lhakhang: a sacred space for practice, connection, and preserving Bhutanese Buddhist culture for future generations.⁵ 

By: Ruth Fitzpatrick and Anna Halafoff 

References: 

¹ “Home”, Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang, accessed June 15, 2026, https://khamsumzilnon.org/; “Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang Inc.,” Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission, accessed June 15, 2026, https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/0624269e-3288-ee11-be36-002248122b18/profile; José Ignacio Cabezón and Rodger R Jackson, eds., Tibetan Literature: Studies in Genre (Snow Lion Publications, 1996). 

² Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang, Facebook, accessed June 15, 2026, https://www.facebook.com/khamsumzilnonlhakhang/. 

³ Stella Qiu and Gopal Sharma, “Bhutan’s jobs woes drive an exodus to Australia,” Reuters, July 28, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bhutans-jobs-woes-drive-an-exodus-australia-2023-07-28/.

⁴ “About,” Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang, accessed June 15, 2026, https://khamsumzilnon.org/about/#; “Services”, Khamsum Zilnon Drukpai Lhakhang, accessed June 15, 2026, https://khamsumzilnon.org/services/. 

⁵ Khamsum Zilnon, “Home.”