Preface

Rotate the Earth with Happiness

From

I would like to take this opportunity to commend Ms. Lady Grace Huang, the author of the Book titled “I am in Bhutan, the happy land” for her diligent efforts in publishing this text. It is her own pieces of work try to flourish the Buddha Dharma religion in the would trying to simplify the complexity of the discourses and summarize it to the possible extent for the benefit of the universe.

Basically, she intends to share wisdom and the gainful experiences that she acquired over the years by traveling to the various countries in the Southeast Asia. She has done a lot of in-depth research and studies on Mahayana Buddhism and its scholars including the great Tantric Master Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Drukpa Kadgue School of Buddhism in Bhutan. She also tries her best to explore and discover the undiscovered culture and traditions of Bhutan and her people but also will immensely benefit the readers world-wide in knowing the minute details about Bhutan and its culture and traditions.

The role of religion plays a vital role in the lives of Bhutanese as the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) in Bhutan was founded based on the principles and the teaching of Gautama Buddha. The ultimate goal of being a human being is to live in happiness. Therefore, the GNH has become the development paradigm where all the developmental plans and policies are framed in keeping with view of creating happiness in the society. The four essences of GNH are: Equitable and Sustainable Socio-economic Development, Preservation and Promotion of culture, Conservation of Environment and Good Governance. GNH emphasizes the importance of happiness as a function of meeting both the mental and physical needs of individuals. Unlike GDP-based economic models, which is popular measure of growth and wellbeing in both developed and developing countries, the philosophy of Gross National Happiness considers economic growth as one of the means towards achieving happiness and not as the ultimate objective of development.

In 2010, the author of this book, Lady Grace Huang, approached the Ministry of Home & Culture Affairs (MoHCA) and deliberated on the issue of preservation and promotion of our culture which is one of the main pillars of GNH. Lady Grace is the President of the Sunya International Flora Expo, upcoming Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) 2011 and the first GNH Conference to be held in Taiwan for the participants from both countries. After I know this, it really amazed me all by the determined persistence in Grace, her profession and devotion.

Now, I am very happy to know that her book about Bhutan is published. I have much expectation in this book to convey the core spirit of the happiness in Bhutan. I expect that all readers in Taiwan even in the whole world will be inspired profoundly by the precious and abundant culture of Bhutan, and Bhutan is always at the service to contribute to the wellbeing of this planet.

Good wishes to you, reader!

Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs

Royal Government of Bhutan

Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu

Minjur Dorji

24 January, 2011