From Bhutan To Canada Happiness Is Contagious, Another Country Takes A Leadership Role For Its People

The Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan is the only nation that puts happiness at the core of public policy. But its thrust on a “gross national happiness”(GNH) index is not just a warm-and-fuzzy inheritance from Buddhism; it is integral to the nation’s cultural and political security. Bhutan is one of the poorest nations on the planet, yet one of the happiest. It is a very rare example of a country that has built happiness into the center of its development strategy. A few years ago, it replaced (read abandoned) the usual economic indicators with a more holistic index called gross national happiness (GNH). Focusing on happiness has not come at the cost of ignoring GDP or other sociological indicators like life expectancy. People believe in wisdom and compassion. Now other countries are taking note.

An absolute Buddhist monarchy until recently, Bhutan had little choice but to be friends with “religious” India, as opposed to China, a communist country. China’s occupation of Tibet, Bhutan’s neighbor, in the mid-20th century and the following social attack should have reassured Thimphu that its choice was sensible. But two and a half decades later on, Bhutan’s other tiny neighbor, Sikkim, also lost its freedom.

Protecting natural resources, promoting a strong national culture and ensuring democratic governance are core determinants of GNH as they form the foundation for happiness. Life expectancy has increased to 66 years from 48 years in 1985 and the literacy rate is steadily climbing. Economists note, however, that Bhutan has been successful with such a subjective concept of fulfillment because of its distinct Bhutanese identity that emphasizes harmony with nature and inner contentment rather than material growth.

The Buddhist philosophy of four noble truths and eightfold paths are passed down to the posterity through every day practice. Most Bhutanese live by the saying “‘you came alone and you have to go alone, so what is point submitting to desire which you can not fulfill in any case if not destined for you?”.

The Four Pillars of GNH are the promotion of sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and establishment of good governance. At this level of generality, the concept of GNH is trans-cultural, complete with cultural integrity, ecosystem conservation, and good governance.

Bhutan’s rugged geography fostered the rise of a hardy population of farmers and herdsmen, and helped to foster a solid Buddhist culture, closely connected in history with Tibet. The population is sparse – roughly 700,000 people on territory the size of France – with agricultural communities nestled in deep valleys and a few herdsmen in the high mountains. Each valley is guarded by a dzong, a fortress, including monasteries and temples, all dating back centuries and exhibiting a masterful mixture of advanced architecture and fine arts.

“Happiness” and “Life Satisfaction” are often used synonymously with Wellbeing. The City of Victoria in Canada has undertaken a major effort to establish itself as a city known for its “happiness”. They have issued many public documents that promote the basic tenets of sustainability on every level. They believe in what Bhutan’s Prime Minister Jigme Thinley says “Happiness is complete well-being, being content with what is and with what one has”. It’s hard to conceive of a country where the stated purpose is to make the citizens happy. But it is easy to see it works in Bhutan, and maybe after Victoria’s success, other cities, and even nations, will follow.