This morning we had a lecture by a senior official from the Office of Gross National Happiness Commission on the concept of Gross National Happiness/GNH in Bhutan. Instead of Gross Domestic Product/GDP to measure a country's economic health, the 4th king of Bhutan believed it was more important that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. The legislature developed a comprehensive program centered on four pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development; environmental conservation; preservation and promotion of culture; and good governance. Based on underlying values from Buddhism, nine domains are outlined: psychological well-being, health, time use, education, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and living standards. Subjective and objective indicators are used, and results are used to inform government policies. It was interesting to note that having a toilet is a measure of happiness, and in 2022, Bhutan achieved 100% improved sanitation access for every member of their population. (Improved sanitation does not mean every one has access to a Toto toilet;
they use mainly squat toilets, although we tourists never had to use a squat toilet in Bhutan!)
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| Today our little buses took us south along a new access road lined with yellow prayer flags to Buddha Dordenma |
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| Inside the entrance gate |
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| First view of the 54 m/177' tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (2006-2015), built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 4th king Jigme Singye Wangchuck (KSS) |
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| Statues of dakinis/female beings that embody the feminine principle and the flow of energy in space (KSS) |
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| Panorama of the plaza below the Buddha, where pilgrims listened to Buddha's teachings on the occasion of Krodhikali/Hundred-Thousand Feast Offering |
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| A sea of umbrellas to protect from the sun |
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| What is Garuda doing here? In Buddhism, he is considered king of the birds and a protector deity |
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| One of four entrances to inside the Buddha |
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| Relief of Kanthaka/horse of Prince Siddhartha who became the Buddha (KSS) |
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| Craning your neck to look up at Buddha, which was constructed in China and delivered in sections |
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| Buddha's third eye/eye of wisdom is a symbol of enlightenment; this one is supposed to be made of 5 kg of gold, 1,000 diamonds and cost $11 million itself; if you are wondering at the total cost of this Buddha, it is said to be paid by private donations and to fulfill a prophecy to bring peace to the world |
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| Temple honoring the 4th king Jigme Singye Wangchuck (KSS) |
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| Decorative banner on the temple |
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| Katas/scarves hang from the head of a dragon (KSS) |
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| Krodhikali/Hundred-Thousand Feast Offering lasts for three days and includes feeding the masses |
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| The pilgrims line up to have rice and curry scooped out of trash-can sized containers |
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| Pilgrims enjoy their meals on the steps below us |
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| The white and gray outfits seem to be for meditation |
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| Most pilgrims purchased their drink and snacks on the way up to the Buddha, but we purchased Lay's chips on the way out |
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