Buddhism is the fundamental factor that defines the way of life and as a result the built environment in Ladakh. The monasteries of the early period of 10th and 11th century were representative of the political and religious landscape of the time. Buddhism was being reinforced and popularized throughout Tibet and Ladakh regions and monasteries played the predominant role of place of worship and learning. Standardization of practices as well as the architectural elements takes place during the later period (14th century onwards). This is also the time that monasteries play a very important socio- cultural and hence political role and begin to control immense resources and become part of the political decision making process. The monastery of Likir in Ladakh is a good example of a monastery that evolved during this later period.
