BHUTAN: Where Gross National Happiness is measured rather than GNP and GDP

Posted on August 13, 2008
Filed Under Faith and Spirituality, LIFE, Travel | Viewed 498 times

Bhutan is a land in the Himalayas, about 25,000 feet above sea level, its mountains hiding it from the rest of the world, shrouded in legend and myth—its supernatural beings, ancient monasteries and fortresses amidst a breathless sight.

In a land where Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is not the primary indicator to gauge the health of the country’s economy nor is Gross National Product (GNP) measured to gauge the income per person, we can only see smiles and feel the peace emanating from the people in Bhutan—where Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the main index for defining the quality of life in a more holistic and psychological term.

While all other countries focused on economic growth as the ultimate objective, Bhutan’s King, in response to criticisms that the country was economically poor, made a commitment to build its economy that would serve Bhutan’s unique culture based on Buddhist spiritual values. GNH is based on the premise that human society’s true development would take place when material and spiritual development occur side by side in complementing and reinforcing each other.

The four pillars of GNH are (1) promotion of equitable and sustainable socio-economic development, (2) preservation and promotion of cultural values, (3) conservation of the natural environment, and (4) establishment of good governance.

For some years I have been witness to their growth and development—lucky to have visited Bhutan frequently. I have interacted with a lot of Bhutanese in a personal and professional level.

Peace and serenity have been evident in their faces. I have seen their smiles, their spirituality, their generosity. Their lives may be laid back, it is not stressful at all. Sometimes I wondered if they every knew what stress was. Their environment—almost pure, pristine forests, unpolluted air and rivers that I almost call “alive” must have something to do with their genteel character—though winter may be harsh at times.

I have met Desi Tenzin Rabgye, a young boy, now 16 years old, believed to be the reincarnation of the 16th century monk who built the Tango monastery, and had the rare opportunity to witness the monks’ prayers and rituals in the private confines of the monastery—at that very moment, I experienced what mystic and Buddhist spirituality meant.

This is one of my favorite pictures, symbolic that the Bhutanese have nothing to hide, no dirty linen to hide, everything is in the open.

Now, who would not want to live a life like theirs, stress-free, peaceful, tranquil and full of smiles?

More pictures here: Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan—Window in the Sky, and Cooking, the Bhutanese Way—simple but delicious.

Comments

6 Responses to “BHUTAN: Where Gross National Happiness is measured rather than GNP and GDP”

raqgold on August 13th, 2008 12:05 am

i would love to live in a place where peace and love and happiness prevails. but i guess, it should also start from us i would love to visit bhutan!
Bhutan » Bhutan on August 13th, 2008 4:06 am

[...] BHUTAN: Where Gross National Happiness is measured rather than GNP …Bhutan is a land in the Himalayas, about 25000 feet above sea level, its mountains hiding it from the rest of the world, shrouded in legend and myth—its supernatural beings, ancient monasteries and fortresses amidst a breathless sight. … [...]
elizabeth on August 13th, 2008 2:18 pm

Nice photos! You clearly have a great love for Bhutan.

I just wanted to point out that most of Bhutan, including the capitol, is 8-12,000 feet above sea level, with some parts as low as 800 ft. above sea level, and only a very few mountain peaks reaching all the way up to 25,000 ft.
issai on August 14th, 2008 3:33 am

i would love to be in a stress free environment and live in peace. maybe the philippines and other countries can take notes from bhutan, encouraging spirituality rather than religiosity.
jhay on August 14th, 2008 6:55 am

If the same thing would be done here in the Philippines, GMA would again suffer extremely low ratings!

Issai does drive home a good point.
toni on August 15th, 2008 8:33 pm

I first read about this in Eric Weiner’s book. I was so impressed with Bhutan! The simpler and more spiritual life is, the more tranquil it can be.