So the UN has made march 20th, 2013 an International Day of Happiness. How will we mark the occasion in Bhutan that will make it meaningful and not just a catchphrase for a new-age-feel-good event?

As a growing number of countries show interest in Bhutan’s vision of GNH, what are we doing ourselves to create and bring about a better quality of life for the people of this kingdom?

Is there more scepticism than understanding of GNH in Bhutan? If so, why? Is GNH in danger of becoming a slogan? How can we bring GNH fully into the policy arena and into our own organisations, workplaces, families, and lives?

CSOs and policy-makers are planning to meet to discuss these issues at a forthcoming forum. Has anyone any ideas to share on this topic?

It seems that now – more than ever – is the time for Bhutan to debate, discuss, challenge and explore what we need to do to make Bhutan the kind of home, society, community and nation that lives up to the name of the Thunder Dragon!

Every morning I listen to one of my favorite poets/rapper/human being , Tupac Shakur.One of my favorite lyrics from his song my block goes like this

” … I know the young people understand this , growing up in this world where everything’s scandalous”… He was referring about the problems the youth in America were facing in the 90s. He was a political activist and a great advocator for the black civil rights movement and most importantly for the young people especially for inner city kids who were mostly blacks, Mexicans and people of color who were racially suppressed, came from broken families and had parents addicted to drugs. Sadly, the media only portrays the “gangster side of him” *sigh*

But the point is the scenario is becoming similar in Bhutan.Social pressure, crimes, robberies, suicides are skyrocketing.Youngster wants designer handbags, BMWs and the best of everything because now Bhutan is becoming a competition zone just like every other small developing country.Capitalism has finally managed to shove his big stinky foot through our small Himalayan door.

Many people advocate the promotion of Buddhism and for that I offer two suggestions.

1.Update Buddhism in Bhutan.

Buddhism can play a good role but the question is what is happening with Buddhism in Bhutan? It is stagnant. We are stuck to the traditions and now traditions are not enough to convey the essence of Buddhism because of Science.

I have been living in the United States for the past three years and one of the key observations I have made here is that Buddhism especially Tibetan Buddhism headed by HH the Dalai Lama is booming!!! HH the Dalai Lama is like a rock star , seriously.

The main point about Buddhism that his Holiness states is that BUDDHISM MUST EVOLVE! The key of Buddhism is to promote compassion and for that Buddhism must always remain socially relevant to human beings. It should update and fit the changing mindset especially amongst the youth of Bhutan. HH the Dalai Lama is heading the Mind and Life conference which is a conference held in California yearly , aimed at promoting interaction especially between science and Buddhism exploring the science of the mind.One of the most famous saying in Buddhism is that ” while the west explored the outer world, Buddhist explored the inner”. All the religions in the world are being tested by science because science now has become the medium of truth and BUDDHISM MUST ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE!We need to update BUddhism in Bhutan like how the Dalai Lama is doing in the west. HH said “”If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change.”

Monks and nuns must be educated in Bhutan especially in modern eduation.Buddhist texts MUSt be translated into english because our youth are so bad at Dzongkha. Colleges and schools MUST MUST introduce study of Buddhism and Science, the psychological study of meditation, etc….. because in this way BUDDHISM WILL BE LEGITIMIZED not only by our own parents but because it is being legitimized by scientists all over the world. Its counter-pscyhology aimed at our youth to remain spiritual and rooted our essential values.

2. Promote Secular Spiritualism.

- Honestly a lot of young kids are losing faith in religion because religions today are at war and that is SILLY! All religions aim at peace, compassion and love. The beliefs about religious cosmology, mantras, whatever might be different but the PRACTICE is THE SIMILAR. All traditions promote love, peace and compassion. Introduce comparative religious studies in Bhutan and try to mix up all the religions. TRY TO MAKE ALL THE GOOD SIDES OF ALL RELIGIONS be known in Bhutan . The majority BUddhist MUST MUST make friends with ALL RELIGIONS AND PEOPLE OF ALL COLOR> Bhutan is facing the challenging of diversity. We must handle it in the most peaceful manner. Otherwise , there is a threat to our internal security and the future well being of our country. We MUST strategize and plan for the future. Our moral imagination MUST expand ..

As a young person still studying outside Bhutan , there is only so much I can do except educate myself. The older generation and those in Bhutan must explore these options. Otherwise, our generation of people are heading towards spiritual crisis and skepticism.

” During our parents time they used to admire the person who gave up everything, wealth, power and fame. The letting go of the ego.

Today our younger people admire the person who gives into all those things. Holding onto the ego”.

As a woman whenever I advocate for women rights and the need for more women leaders in the society, I would receive very negative comment especially from male counterparts pointing out all the worst women leaders in history and the bad things that they did so far. They argue that males are equally capable of empathy and compassion as a female and that it doesn’t necessarily mean females are better.

If we look at the evolution of human beings in terms of males and females, each had a role. The males were the hunters, tool-makers, protectors, etc. while women nurtured their children, cooked, cleaned and took care of the family…. Men were always involved in more brutal side of actions such as wars because of the need to defend and offend. So I strongly believe that as much as the patriarchal system of the society looked down on the capabilities of the woman , it also enabled women to grow up as more nurturing, emotional and caring human beings because there was no need to be violent, it was not our role.

It is true that every individual needs to be judged by the character but women have yet not even been given a platform to showcase our capabilities. We have to remember Society has been built by men not women. The rules of the games have been made by men not women. If women are to succeed in a highly male-dominated society only those women possessing characters of a male become successful.

Therefore, I strongly support if not more at least equal representation of women in leadership roles not because we want to dominate the game but merely it is time to change the rules of the game. We need good amount of women leaders to change the rules. We talk about moral values and compassion but looking at the world today, each day it is becoming harder and harder to be humane ; everyone is competing with each other for resources, capitalism and greed is escalating and society has been for so long facing a crisis in consciousness. It is my own belief that good women if given a chance can trigger tremendous changes within the society. Women have always been held at a higher esteem in terms of character than men from ancient times . Women have so much double standards. For example: If a male misbehaves, its seen as normal. We say “aahhh phoja butshu mey” If a woman misbehaves she faces so much social stigma. So many double standards apply to women.

But at the end of the day , we as women should realize the significance of these double standards applied by not just the society but even ourselves. Mankind has always always expected more from women because deep inside we all know there is an intrinsic difference between the role of a nurturer and protector. Even I apply these double standards to my female friends as well as myself than my male friends. I am being prejudice but it is such a natural feeling for me to want a woman retain her timeless role; strong,compassionate, open, warm and friendly, as a woman should be. Billions of good mothers have given birth and nurtured billion of children but today it is time for mothers to nurture not just their family but their whole community .There is a superwomen inside all of us, women. We just haven’t been given the chance to save the world, not yet.