As a Drukpa; You become happiness ambassador to rest of the world.

Jan Farais, an American university student asked me a couple of questions on Happiness. She is at College of Natural Resources for a semester on Naropa-RUB student exchange program. Without much brainstorm, I had some quick answers to her Happiness queries via e-mail.

1.      What does happiness mean to you?

Answer: Having a harmonious society, happy community, intact environment and good community vitality is a true universal happiness for me. Having those aforementioned conditions are the true attributes of happiness for me.

2.      How has GNH impacted your life?

Answer: GNH is more than the guiding philosophy of life. It is a holistic tool to gauge individual’s happiness, community’s well-being, societal harmony and the development of the country. GNH has guided me to look at life from more holistic lens than the narrow slits and has shaped the way of my living. It has guided me to live a constructive life rather than self-centered destructive life.

3.      Do you consider yourself a “happy” person, or do you think Bhutan creates the conditions for an individual to be happy/satisfied in their life?

Answer: I consider myself happy under the kingship of benevolent monarchs and guiding principles of Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is one of the top countries in the world which respects the people, nature and culture equally enabling conducive environment to co-exist harmoniously for generations. All the development plans and policies are guided by GNH principles,thus, enabling happy and healthy developmental climate. We have farsighted leaders, people friendly constitution and undisturbed environment which create a healthy place for people’s happiness.