Bhutan is a rich mosaic of different cultures, traditions, life styles, ethnic groups, languages and belief systems. It is astounding that a country with a population of just over half a million speak as many as nineteen different dialects and a few major languages. Diverse as it may seem, yet the Bhutanese socio-culture fabric is well interlaced and harmonized mainly due to the common thread of simple Buddhist values that the people share.

 

An interesting feature and paradox in the world today is that while there is dramatic improvement on the technological and economic front, there is also a gradual breakdown of the socio-cultural fabric due to traditional, spiritual, ethical and moral degeneration.  The Bhutanese Buddhist philosophy does not conflict with modern development since whatever is beneficial to people is good.  However, the modernization process of the country has raised the materialistic expectations of the Bhutanese people and is slowly starting to have a negative impact on the various spiritual and physical traditional practices.  This negative process may impede the holistic and sustainable development goals of Bhutan.

Bhutan realizes that the only way to achieve holistic and sustainable development is to incorporate the ethical, moral and spiritual standards arising out of its own culture and belief system in its development philosophy.  Bhutan's development aspiration has always been to bridge the gap between modern society and the treasures of the country's traditional culture and values.  In the words of His Majesty, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product".