Bhutan - Zen and the art of Happiness

"If Bhutan can prove that a healthy economy, democracy, social equality, sustainable development, environmental protection and energy independence are all within reach of even the poorest nations, this tiny Buddhist country will turn 100 years of economic and political theory on its head and possibly even inspire other nations to take a chance on this Bhutanese style of Zen economic development."

As King Wangchuk stated at last year’s GNH conference, “I believe that while Gross National Happiness is inherently Bhutanese, its ideas may have a positive relevance to any nation, peoples or communities. … I also believe that there must be some convergence among nations on the idea of what the end objective of development and progress should be. There cannot be enduring peace, prosperity, equality and brotherhood in this world if our aims are so separate and divergent—if we do not accept that in the end we are people, all alike, sharing the earth among ourselves.”

Bhutan is certainly in the best position today to put this philosophy to the test. Let us hope that GNH proves the cynics wrong or at least remains part of the solution, rather than becoming part of the problem in Bhutan. The real test lies ahead. The world is watching. If GNH proves over time to be little more than empty words, it will be our loss too.