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What is "Gross National Happiness" (GNH)
Many people may be not familiar with the term “Gross National Happiness” (GNH). As a member, I participated in the “Global Wellbeing and GNH Lab Innovating Beyond GDP” in 2013 and visited Brazil and Bhutan. It was amazing academic journey and fieldwork and gives me the chance to dive deep into the indigenous happiness in Brazil and Bhutan. The “GNH” was proposed by Bhutan. The definition is “Gross National Happiness (also known by the acronym: GNH) is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National Happiness is instituted as the goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008.(https://www.nationalcouncil.bt/assets/uploads/files/Constitution%20%20of%20Bhutan%20English.pdf)
We not only need economic development but also take the happiness, sustainability, environment and some other factors into account so that we are able to build a society in which the wellbeing is for all including human, nature, animals, etc. That is the philosophy of building the big happiness for all.
What is “Gross National Happiness” ? Explained by Morten Sondergaard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zqdqa4YNvI
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9 Replies
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It is my first time to know Bhutan. After searching online, I found it is a small country with the population less than 1 millions but they are having the higher happiness level in the world. I think it has to do with their beliefs as well as the government policies. Both work together to make them the happiest country. Good to know this small country with great happiness. Love to learn more about it.
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Hope one day I am able to visit Bhutan. From the picture you posted, I am so interesting in its nature beauty and I guess their culture is great as well. From the long distance to learn, it is not enough and I always want to feel in the real life instead of just read something. I think both are important for getting know something new. Thanks for your sharing. I greatly appreciate it. You are so lucky to have the time to travel to Bhutan and Brazil. The big two “B”. I like it.
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I think GNH is a great idea to remind us the issues in our current society in which the money and wealth is the only goal to gauge the success including individual and countries. In reality, more and more people are becoming depressed and even the rich can’t guarantee the happiness because if we have no idea about the happiness and how could we really appreciate it. The gross national happiness is a great assets. We really can’t just depend on GDP which has been some issues if you stay eyes away from other measurement. Bhutan is tinny but big in happiness. We need learn from them.
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We talk about gross national income. But the gross national happiness seems more interesting to know. The money can’t represent everything. The reasons for Bhutanese’s happiness have to do with their attitudes and mentality about the life purpose and values. Although Bhutan is not a rich country but the government knows how to care about everyone by implementing the “GNH” policies.
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I always told myself. What is the purpose for life? For money, for house, for family, etc. Finally I realized that the answer is authentic happiness instead of illusional happiness. In most time, we are living in the shallow and illusional happiness. After reading something about Bhutan and their Gross National Happiness, I feel I need think out of box. I am living in the tunnel visions and it is time to intake some fresh thinking to make me feel better and happier. If I am able to live in Bhutan and feel their life and that would be great. Hope it happens in the near future.
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Great post. I love it. I am thinking if the mode of GNH is able to be practiced in other countries. Is it a universal mode? For me, I think so. But it may vary from one country to another. I hope I am the person that I am able to be part of the journey to change. Sometimes, it is hard to change but we have to when we feel something wrong with our life. This is time to change to be better not only for us but for all.
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Most of my people don’t know about GNH but I will tell them about it. I feel good to live my life but sometimes I feel lonely. I read something that the loneliness pandemic is the big problem for our society. If we care each other and be more collective thinking and then it is possible to help us out of the dilemma.
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I found this video is interesting to watch. Highly recommended.
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Happiness index is as complicated as the wealth index. Please check the link to know more.
https://ophi.org.uk/policy/national-policy/gross-national-happiness-index/
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