Samding Monastery is the seat of the Dorje Pakmo incarnation line, an important incarnation of the Bodong tradition. It was established as a hermitage at the edge of Yamdrok Lake by the Second Samding Dorje Pakmo, Kunga Zangmo, with the support of the local rulers of Yamdrok who were her patrons. Samding was built on the site of a pre-existing institution that was founded in the twelfth century by Khetsun Zhonnu Drub.