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Bhutanese Buddhism and Its Culture by Seiji Kumagai Pdf
"With much of its old socio-cultural identity still intact, Bhutan attracts interest from many oriental scholars. Bhutan is also seeing a phenomenal growth in interest from many multi-disciplinary researchers who are adapting different political and economic frameworks in trying to understand the unique approach to development in this country that is best expressed in its national development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. This concept was first propounded by the Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck who believed spiritual development and environmental conservation must go hand in hand with material advancement in the country's journey to wellbeing and prosperity. Bhutanese Buddhism and Its Culture is a comprehensive introduction to the country's diverse Buddhist traditions, as well as its unique statecraft, monasticism and people's general way of life, all of which form the culture of the country."--Publisher.
Bhutan - Culture Smart! by Culture Smart!,Karma Choden,Dorji Wangchuk Pdf
Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Often called the "Land of the Thunder Dragon," Bhutan was secluded for much of its history, its towering mountains and lush green valleys virtually unvisited, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder. A sovereign country throughout the ages, Bhutan is now establishing its place on the world stage. It is determined to maintain its Buddhist culture and unique way of life as it evolves and adapts to political change and economic challenges. Culture Smart! Bhutan will give you a deeper insight into the country's history, values, customs, and age-old traditions. It highlights changes in people's attitudes and behavior as the country modernizes, and provides practical guidance on how to get to know the Bhutanese on their own terms, paving the way for a more meaningful experience of this fascinating and beautiful country. Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
There is a misty-eyed vision of Bhutan which has popularized it as ‘the last Shangri-la’, the hidden Himalayan jewel, the travel destination of celebrities and unique-experience-hunters. We are not entirely comfortable with this image. Bhutan has undoubtedly become the focus of considerable media attention in the last few years. Articles appear regularly on its substitution of happiness for money as the indicator of the country’s wealth. Television programs, books, visits by personalities – all have served to bring Bhutan to global awareness. This attention only serves to increase pressure on the culture to become like any other. How has Bhutan resisted the impact of globalisation which has had such a homogenizing affect on most other countries in the world? A practice, until recently, of self-imposed isolation from the rest of the world, the Buddhist tradition, and the lack of any successful foreign invader have combined to produce a living culture that is as unique as it is fragile. This fragility suggested the need to document a context that seemed on the verge of change. Our second visit in 2008 confirmed our sense of immanent change, as we could see for ourselves the ways in which ‘international culture’ was beginning to appear: the first escalator in the country, widening the main road from single track to dual carriageway, the first democratic election, the availability of satellite television, and internet expansion... Nevertheless, we continue to feel that in Bhutan there is a different ‘way of knowing.’ We have worked with staff at the University to try to capture something of this in three different forms: • chapters written by Bhutanese individuals about the culture, landscape, education and folklore • extracts from interviews with university staff and associates to draw out particular characteristics of Bhutan which would be of interest to Western readers • photographs of Bhutan which provide a different ‘view’ of the country to complement the text. The subject matter has been chosen by Bhutanese staff at the Royal University of Bhutan as an expression of their understanding of their own land. There are conventional travel books about Bhutan available and we have not attempted to contribute to this literature. Bhutan: Ways of Knowing is a book which reflects Bhutanese understanding of their country. We hope that you will find these contributions as interesting and thought-provoking as we do, and that you, too, will find a different way of knowing about Bhutan.
Bhutan by International Association for Tibetan Studies. Seminar Pdf
This illustrated volume presents a wide variety of themes from the historical and modern periods of Bhutan, illustrating change and adaptation to new realities. Topics covered include the exploration of early history, Buddhism and the lives of Bhutanese Buddhist saints, the changing role of local, non-Buddhist religious practitioners in today s society, traditional law and the emergence of a modern legal system, and the seasonal celebrations of an aristocratic family from central Bhutan. The book will be of special interest to students of early Tibetan history, legal history, comparative sociology and cultural anthropology of the Himalayan regions.
Culture and Development in Bhutan. Recommendations for Cultural Policy by Tshewang Dorji Pdf
Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Cultural Studies - Miscellaneous, , language: English, abstract: Culture and development is not only integral but also inevitable for sustainable development. Cultural values and moral implications of individuals and communities are the foundation of the socio-economic development of any nation. Landlocked in the Himalayasues of Bhutan are deeply rooted in Buddhism. Behavior, perception and daily routines of people are directly guid, the tiny Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan appears almost untouched by globalization. The culture and traditional valed by the religion, cultural values and beliefs. Thus the preservation and promotion of culture is one of the four pillars in realizing the country’s development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH is the middle path of development that embraces a balance between spiritual and material development towards the attainment of happiness by the Bhutanese. The concept of GNH as a unique and primary development philosophy was initiated and coined by His Majesty, the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. His Majesty believes that “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product” and therefore a people centered development with happiness with value as the end goal is what it should be for Bhutan. And thus beside economic factors, one should take account of social factors, environmental, cultural, and good governance. The ultimate goal of development must be happiness and human well-being, but should not be economic development or to be a winner in the global competitions (Karma Ura, 2009). Every individual no matter what race, creed, colour, origin, nationality the ultimate aspiration of life is happiness. Therefore, the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) established the GNH Commission to guide the planning process in the country. In addition, the establishment of democracy in the country has led to the review of many policies in all ministries and autonomous institutions so that services are improved and delivered on time. This main purpose of this paper is to examine the culture and development of Bhutan and will make necessary recommendation addressed to the government on how to foster culture approach in designing development policies based on stock piling.
The Blessings of Bhutan by Russ Carpenter,Blyth Carpenter Pdf
"A captivating and splendid account of a complex nation on the cusp of tradition and modernity. Bhutan is distinctive--from its social structures to its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. The Blessings of Bhutan is based on extensive travel and interviews. Written in an accessible style, the authors blend narrative about the country's history, religion, arts, and governance with lively personal anecdotes. It is an excellent contribution to the study of contemporary Bhutan that will appeal to laymen and scholars alike." --Karma Ura, Director of the Centre for Bhutan Studies "The blessings of Bhutan are many, including the appearance of this lyrical account of the country's many unique and fascinating aspects. Because they are among the Westerners most familiar with Bhutanese life, Blyth and Russ are able to penetrate well beyond the Shangri-la myth and show that, while parts of such an otherworldly myth apply, this Himalayan Kingdom is brimful of surprises, contradictions, and modern dilemmas." --K. E. S. Kirby Dorji, writer/editor, United Nations consultant, longtime resident of Bhutan.
Journey to Liberation by Phun-tshogs-bkra-śis (Mkhan-po.) Pdf
Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi from eastern Bhutan,Trashigang studied with numerous accomplished Buddhist masters within and outside Bhutan, including Theravada and Zen tradition. He is a non-secretain with a masters degree in Buddhist philosophy. He is one of the educators of the younger generation in Buddhism and the culture of Bhutan. He provides instruction on meditation, the history and culture of Bhutan - including gross national happiness. A very clear and articulate teacher, many of Khenpo's students describe his instruction as eloquent and sharp. His sense of humour and warm personality, which are in true blue Bhutanese style, blend with his character to ender him to his students and quest audiences. He has developed a series of talks on Buddhism for broadcast on television and radio for Bhutan Broadcasting service(BBS) for spiritual partitions in the country. He lives in Bhutan and is the author of Sight for Poetry(1988)An introduction to the thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts of Bhutan(2011)Mindful Living in Bhutan(2010)and Invoking happiness(2011). He has also featured in a documentary film: The Sacred sites of the Dalai Lama(2004).
In recent years, the remote kingdom of Bhutan has increasingly attracted the attention of the world. In 2008, it emerged as the world’s youngest democracy and in the same year crowned the world’s youngest monarch. This was followed by the new King’s colourful wedding in 2011. Today, it continues to enchant the rest of the world with its policy of Gross National Happiness and has become a very popular destination for travel. But, despite its growing popularity and the rising scholarly interest in the country, Bhutan remains one of the most poorly studied places on earth. Karma Phuntsho’s The History of Bhutan is the first-ever attempt to cover the entire history of Bhutan in some detail in English, combining both traditional perspectives and modern academic analysis. Written by a leading expert on the country, the book tells the story of Bhutan in a narrative style interspersed with some analytical and topical discussion, and numerous citations and translations from earlier writings. It is primarily a historical account, but it also includes substantive discussions of Bhutan’s geography, culture and society to give the readers an incisive introduction to the country.
Fabric of Life - Textile Arts in Bhutan by Karin Altmann Pdf
This extensive work dedicated to the unique textile art of Bhutan is an impressive illustration of how closely art, spirituality, and life are interwoven in the last of the Buddhist kingdoms in the Himalayas. It gives new insight into Bhutanese cosmology, worldview, culture, and society, which is associated with a variety of historical, philosophical, religious, social, and artistic perspectives. The remote mountain location, low-key foreign policy, and basic principles of Buddhism has made it possible for Bhutan, the last of the Buddhist kingdoms in the Himalayas, to preserve a remarkable form of textile art that is interwoven with all aspects of life. Karin Altmann shows us Bhutan textiles in their diversity: they are clothes and everyday objects, currency and commodity, mark important events as gifts during life, and are testament to the social status of a person. But they are also an integral aspect of religious festivals, dances, and rituals that provide insight into the mystical and religious beliefs of the Bhutanese people, and reflect the concept of gender in Bhutanese society. The book also tells the story of a country that is searching for a sensitive balance between tradition and progress in a globalized world.
Bhutan is unique amongst the small group of nations in the Himalayas. It is peaceful and democratic. Above all, it emphasizes happiness that is not necessarily associated with possession of material goods. It protects the environment by eschewing mass tourism that could trample its fragile land. Bhutan is also known for creating the world's one and only Index of Happiness as a measure of wellbeing for its people, which it prefers over the more materialistic and widely used index of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 1990, the Bhutanese government invited Western scientists to conduct research in one of Bhutan's most remote villages. Bhutan is a country where spirituality is everywhere, where the logic of the animist/Buddhist religion ordains that life is experienced entirely in the present and where human gender is conceived of as part and parcel of the cosmos. The people of Bhutan identify this experience explicitly as “sustainability.”
Education in Bhutan by Matthew J. Schuelka,T.W. Maxwell Pdf
Bhutan is a country in the Himalayas with a relatively new education system and a unique governmental philosophy known as Gross National Happiness. This book explores the history, culture, challenges, and opportunities of schooling in Bhutan. It discusses topics including historical perspectives on Buddhist monastic education, the regional and international influence on educational development, traditional medical education, higher education, and the evolution of Bhutanese educational policy, to name but a few. It also investigates contemporary challenges to schooling in Bhutan such as adult education, inclusive education, early childhood education, rurality, and gender. Throughout the book, the developmental philosophy of Gross National Happiness is explored as a novel and culturally vital approach to education in Bhutan. The majority of the authors are prominent Bhutanese scholars and educational leaders, with select non-Bhutanese international scholars with strong links to Bhutan also contributing. This book is a valuable resource not only for those specifically interested in education in Bhutan, but for anyone with an interest in South Asian studies, general Asian studies, educational development, comparative education, Buddhist education, and the Gross National Happiness development philosophy.
