An Unconquered Land
It is a matter of great pride to the Bhutanese that their
small kingdom was never colonized. Its ancient history, which is a mixture
of the oral tradition and classical literature, tells of a largely self-sufficient
population which had limited contact with the outside world until the turn
of the century.
Among the earliest landmarks of Bhutanese history visible today are two seventh-century monasteries, the Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang. Both these deeply revered monasteries have been preserved and developed over the centuries.
In the eight century Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava), established several sacred religious sites which are important places of pilgrimage for the Buddhist world today. Among them are the Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang and the Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery in Paro.
Another important chapter in Bhutanese history unfolded in the early part of the 13th century when the Buddhist teacher, Phajo Drugom Zhingpo, introduced the Drukpa Kagyu school of Mahayana Buddhism in the western Bhutan. Over the years many other saints and religious figures helped shape Bhutan's history and develop its religion.
A Rich Culture
Bhutanese language and literature, the areas and crafts, ceremonies
and events, and basic social and cultural values draw their essence from
religious teachings. The tradition of fine art is alive today, manifested,
for example, in products like the legendary thangkha. The exquisite traditional
painting is also visible on monasteries and houses, skillfully enhancing
the architecture.
Architecture is also a significant feature of the Bhutanese identity. The combination of engineering skill and aesthetic beauty is unparalleled in all structures, from the massive monastic fortresses to houses and bridges. Traditional shapes, colors and patterns on the walls, doors, windows, place Bhutanese architecture in a class of its own.
Music, dance, and handicrafts, both by the clergy and the lay population, play an important role in national, village, or domestic functions and festivals. Bhutan's textile tradition has, in recent years, gone international. The distinct technique, color and style of indigenous Bhutanese weaving is being increasingly appreciated by textile specialists, collectors, and users.
The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. The people also speak more than 18 dialects across the country. Today, English is taught in the schools and is used as the official working language, but the national leaders emphasize the development and use of Dzongkha.
Gross National Happiness
Gross National Happiness is our central development
concept. The starting point for the concept is that happiness is the ultimate
desire of all human beings and that all else is a means for achieving happiness.
The concept of Gross National Happiness should be seen in terms of a process
that seeks to maximize happiness rather than economic growth. Gross National
Product to which so much importance is attached by others, is a very imperfect
measure of progress and development. The concept of Gross National Happiness
compels us to reject or question many of the traditional indicators of
development. Gross National Happiness does not regard economic growth
as being unimportant, on the contrary, its an important means for achieving
higher ends. (Bhutan 2020)
A Spiritual Nation
Just as the kingdom's history is characterized by religious
landmarks, the influence of religion is highly visible in every day life
of the lay population. Bhutan is a spiritual nation. Hundreds of sacred
monasteries, stupa, religious institution, prayer flags and prayer wheels
which dot the countryside provide a strong infrastructure and atmosphere
for the teachings of their living faith.
Both urban and rural Bhutan, religious ceremonies and rituals are performed regularly and with reverence. On auspicious days Bhutanese families make pilgrimages to monasteries to offer prayers and butter lamps. The horoscope of Bhutanese life is drawn from the scriptures. National and regional festivities, coinciding with the seasons, are major events for the entire population the year round. The Buddhist world, thus, regards the kingdom with special importance as the last bastion of Mahayana Buddhism. Earlier this century, an ethic Nepalese minority, settled in the southern regions of the country, brought Hinduism which is regarded in Bhutan as being closely related to Buddhism.
A Natural Paradise
Bhutan has been described as a natural paradise and has
been declared as part of one of the ten global biodiversity 'hotspots'.
Even as the world mourns the loss of its ecology, this small Himalayan Kingdom is emerging as an example to the international community, with more than 72 percent of its land still under forest and a great variety of rare plant and wildlife species.
Wedged between China and India, Bhutan's terrain ranges from the sub-tropical foothills in the south, through the temperate zones, to dizzying heights of over 7,300 meters (24,000 feet). In Historical records Bhutan was known as Lhojong Menjong 'the Southern Valley of Medicinal Herbs' Besides these rare herbs, the Bhutanese seasons are reflected in full color by wind flowers and plants which carpet the mountainsides.
Among them, Rhododendron of numerous shades and the Blue Poppy, the National
flower, are visual delight across the country. The dense forests, also ranging
from the sub-tropical to the temperate, are home to numerous rate and endangered
species of wildlife like the Blue Sheep, the elusive Snow Leopard, the Himalayan
Black Bear, the Golden Langur, the Takin.
Several northern valleys are home
to the Black Necked Crane in winter. With the beauty of the majestic snow-capped
peaks and fertile valleys, the clean crisp air, unpolluted habitats, and
large tracts of virgin forests, Bhutan is, indeed, a unique world.
The People
Bhutan's population is, in many ways, one large family. More
than 90 percent of the people live on subsistence farming, scattered in
sparsely populated villages across the rugged terrain of the Himalayas.
With rice as the staple diet in the lower regions, and wheat, buckwheat, and maize in the other valleys, the people farm narrow terraces cut into the steep hill slopes. Bhutanese communities settled in the valleys with limited communication in the past. It is for this reason that the sense of individuality and independence emerges as a strong characteristic of the people.
It is for the same reason that, despite the small population, it has developed a number of languages and dialects. The Bhutanese are, by nature, physically strong and fiercely independent with an open and ready sense of humor. Hospitality is an in-built social value in Bhutan.
Yet it is inevitable that Bhutan is changing. Three decades of development have had a dramatic impact on the kingdom which has moved, in a short span of time, from the medieval age into the 21st century. A comprehensive network of roads, school and hospitals reaching their services to the people, a modern telecommunication system, increasing contact with the international community, urbanization, and a growing private sector cannot but bring change.
Gross National Happiness in Australia
The Courier Mail list Bhutan as the Hot Asian Destination. (December 31, 2005, January 1, 2006 Page 13)
This landlocked Himalayan kingdom understands the fragile nature of its beauty which is why it has controlled tourism policy-no more than 900o visitors allowed per year. Bordered by Tibet and India Bhutan is a country of mountain monasteries, rivers valley and smiling villagers. Most visitors trek the mountain, raft the valleys and enjoy a country where the gross national profit seemingly is measured in happiness and not in dollars.
Note to non smokers-breathe easy, Bhutan has a strict no cigarette policy.
