The Triumph of GNH Gross National Happiness
From the editor's desk:
In the past few years we have begun to see remarkable changes wrought by the new governmental philosophy of creating laws and policies based on the indicators of Gross National Happiness, especially now that it has been expanded to include all living beings, not only human ones. The idea was first explored to great effect in the tiny Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, instituted by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan in 1972.
The idea was a well received at the time. "Forty years ago Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech challenging GNP as a measure of progress and growth for a nation. In his speech he stated, “Gross National Product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.”
The King of Bhutan "believed that the existing development paradigm—GDP—did not consider the ultimate goal of every human being: HAPPINESS. GNH was based on the premise that the calculation of “wealth” should consider other aspects besides economic development: the preservation of the environment and the quality of life of the people. His Majesty believed the goal of a society should be the integration of material development with psychological, cultural and spiritual aspects." (Live Happy Magazine)
As this new over arching priority was instituted, first in Bhutan and then in India, parts of Europe, America in the 2030's and finally the great majority of countries, the world has undergone a sea change in way laws are passed and policies are put forward.
And now at last, the policy is being applied to our non-human brothers and sisters on the planet, partly as a result of the much wider adoption of vegetarianism and humane farming practices. Indeed, the only way to get meat now, is by applying to a farm that collects the carcases of pigs and cows that have passed away of natural causes (after long pleasant lives), and preserves them for eating. Dairy is available, but far less, as there are no more mass production lines. Cows are allowed to feed their calves naturally, and only the amount left over is available for sale to humans.
In the place of dairy and meat, vast varieties of beans and rice and seeds and nuts, fruits and vegetables are grown for human and animal consumption. Our chefs and many of the public balked at first, but now that the rich availability of healthy foods and delectable recipes is better known, most are softening to this new way of eating. Rates of diabetes have fallen dramatically, especially after sugared soft drinks were removed from the market in the twenties and even the occurrence of cancer is dropping, as animal products grow rarer. Almost no one is overweight anymore and general good health has become the norm, even among the less affluent.
In the past few years we have begun to see remarkable changes wrought by the new governmental philosophy of creating laws and policies based on the indicators of Gross National Happiness, especially now that it has been expanded to include all living beings, not only human ones. The idea was first explored to great effect in the tiny Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, instituted by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan in 1972.
The idea was a well received at the time. "Forty years ago Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech challenging GNP as a measure of progress and growth for a nation. In his speech he stated, “Gross National Product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.”
The King of Bhutan "believed that the existing development paradigm—GDP—did not consider the ultimate goal of every human being: HAPPINESS. GNH was based on the premise that the calculation of “wealth” should consider other aspects besides economic development: the preservation of the environment and the quality of life of the people. His Majesty believed the goal of a society should be the integration of material development with psychological, cultural and spiritual aspects." (Live Happy Magazine)
As this new over arching priority was instituted, first in Bhutan and then in India, parts of Europe, America in the 2030's and finally the great majority of countries, the world has undergone a sea change in way laws are passed and policies are put forward.
And now at last, the policy is being applied to our non-human brothers and sisters on the planet, partly as a result of the much wider adoption of vegetarianism and humane farming practices. Indeed, the only way to get meat now, is by applying to a farm that collects the carcases of pigs and cows that have passed away of natural causes (after long pleasant lives), and preserves them for eating. Dairy is available, but far less, as there are no more mass production lines. Cows are allowed to feed their calves naturally, and only the amount left over is available for sale to humans.
In the place of dairy and meat, vast varieties of beans and rice and seeds and nuts, fruits and vegetables are grown for human and animal consumption. Our chefs and many of the public balked at first, but now that the rich availability of healthy foods and delectable recipes is better known, most are softening to this new way of eating. Rates of diabetes have fallen dramatically, especially after sugared soft drinks were removed from the market in the twenties and even the occurrence of cancer is dropping, as animal products grow rarer. Almost no one is overweight anymore and general good health has become the norm, even among the less affluent.
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