Bhutan - a small, mountainous kingdom in the Himalayas counts less than 700.000 residents. The fact that caught my attention is its unique philosophical principal: The Gross National Happiness Index (GNHI). This index is yearly measured and published. "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product”, the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck expressed. Bhutanese consider the happiness of the people to be the most important factor in any decision or policy it makes. For this reason, the pursuit of Gross National Happiness was positioned into Basic Law by the king beginning of the 1970th. The government therefore enables and creates conditions (e. g. free education and free health care) for every person living as happy as possible. This GNHI results from the philosophy and religion: Buddhism. Bhutan is one of the world’s few purely Buddhists nations. In fact, one of every 100 citizens is a monk. Lama Kado’s key to happiness is “You have to be mentally prepared for peace and happiness. It’s a mindset.”​

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In Bhutan, the Vajrayana Buddhism was domiciled with the great Master Guru Padmasambhava in the 7th century - still, he is the patron saint of Bhutan. Buddhism is a religion of experience: While meditating people experience the joy, the fearlessness and the compassion of a Buddha. The goal of Buddhism is to create Buddhas. Being a Buddhist means to aim becoming like Buddha. Buddhists want to achieve creating the same mindset full of love, active compassion and discover the full potential of their mind(O. Nydahl, 2008). This idea of the way of life and ordinary behaviour implicates the social description as Bhutan’s culture.

 

Nowadays, in Bhutan, Buddhism is state religion and the King himself is a student of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition, which is a subdivision of the Vajrayana Buddhism (J. T. Ozolinš, 2016). Vajrayana Buddhism is the later form of Buddhism that derives its origin from the tantras (a body of texts, that emerged between the 3rd and the 10th century). Unlike Theravada Buddhism, which Buddha taught his first students, Vajrayana Buddhism recognizes the existence of numerous symbols and deities and was given to students, who met Buddha in a later stage of his life. Vajrayana Buddhism is a tantric transmission were mantras (om mani peme hung) are used during praying and Buddhas are visualized in order to attain the goal of becoming a Buddha oneself (Ole Nydahl, 2008). In Bhutan, there are numerous monasteries (Lhakangs), choetens or stupas - buildings mainly symbolizing the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether (National Council. Royal Government of Bhutan, 2017).

 

This very special form of tantric Buddhism can be directly experienced by tourists during their visit in Bhutan. They can see, feel and experience the happiness and joy of Bhutanese men and women. They can be inspired by the impressive Lhakhangs (Bhutanese monasteries) and Dzongs (castle like ancient fortresses) spread all over the country. The impressing ‘Tigernest Lhakhang’ monastery, 3.000 m high in the mountains of Paro valley, woven directly into the nature, is deemed to be the most spiritual sight in the country. In Bhutan tourist are able to combine spiritual experiences by visiting the monastery with a hiking adventure after having walked up to the monastery about 1-2 hours depending on their fitness Level.

 

The influence of Buddhism is highly visible in everyday life. Bhutanese worship Buddha at home by reciting prayers. Visiting lamas in the monasteries if they have trouble or questions is part of their daily life. They go on pilgrimages and all this is said to add merit to their life. This experience will change the mindset of the tourists and they can return to their home countries filled up with Bhutanese happiness and loving kindness.

 

In addition, Bhutan offers a very special, fascinating nature. There is a great biodiversity and Bhutanese acclaim a strong commitment to the maintenance of this biodiversity. Almost three fourth of the land area is covered by forests of alpine, temperate and subtropical species. Its various eco systems harbours some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain this absolute rare flora and fauna and protect the country from mass tourism.

 

Since the 1950th it is at all possible to travel to Bhutan as a foreigner. Bhutan followed a policy of self-imposed isolation and was largely cut off from the rest of the world until then (L. Wangchhuk, (2008). It followed a tourism policy of high value, low volume tourism with a very rich tradition and cultural heritage. The unique, scenic beauty with unspoilt countryside’s majestic mountains combined with a deep tradition in Buddhistic values are the reasons for tourists travelling to Bhutan. It will inspire and change people for a lifetime. It is important for the country and its visitors to preserve this precious jewel. The tourism industry in Bhutan is based on the principle of sustainability, indicating that tourism must be environmentally, socially and culturally acceptable. For this reason, there is a policy of government regulated tourism in terms of eco friendlyness and managable tourist attendence. Therefore, and for the support of Bhutanese workers, the state established a daily minimum tariff of USD 250 per person. This makes travelling in Bhutan quite expensive, but simultaneously exclusive. By ensuring an obtaining and sustainable “gentle” tourism Bhutan tries to avoid negative influence by (mass-)tourism and accomplish to keep its unique culture as an identity.

 

Due to its cultural context, Bhutan targets a variety of tourists: Besides cultural interested and esoteric oriented people, visitors who respect and love nature are highly welcome to enjoy their mountainbiking and hiking affinity. Though, every target group mentioned need to have a willingness to spend money for a unique lifetime self-experience.

 

Bhutan vibrates with joy and is kept together by love. People, who travel to Bhutan will get to know a country were locals strive for happiness and integrate enlightened values like fearlessness, joy, active compassion and loving kindness into their everyday life. Immerging in this world can implicate the acquire of a completely new mindset. This new happiness gained in Bhutan will then be spread by the homecoming tourist into their own towns and sow the seeds for freedom and happiness all over the world. This is the reason why travelling to Bhutan will increase peace in the world and also increase worlds happiness – in my opinion 😊

 

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