Have you never heard of GNH? Bhutan’s 4th Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, coined this term over 50 years ago, with a commitment for their country to build an economy based on Buddhist values while avoiding the traps of western materialism as measured by the GNP.
I first learned about this interesting national emphasis about 12 years ago when attending a conference sponsored by the Consortium for Global Education in Xian. While listening to a Bhutanese government official present this dream, I realized that to disregard all of his words would be irresponsible for, after all, is it not the goal of most people to find a meaningful and pleasurable life experience? The GNH idea of not getting so tied up in our possessions and earthly successes shouldn’t be all that difficult for Christians to embrace as well?
The four pillars of GNH philosophy are tied to sustainable development, preservation of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and the establishment of good governance. As Christians, I have to wonder whether we can be equally as concise in saying what our foundational beliefs are for those who need to consider our faith? Happiness is, for the Christian, a side benefit of our confidence in the relationship we have with Christ and other followers. Yes, happiness or “joy” is certainly something we should hold on to firmly as Jesus’ followers. Our happiness/joy should never be contingent on mere emotions and circumstances but should be highly valued for it is represented by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. How we, as God’s family, bless the church of Christ by remembering Paul’s admonition, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21) shows our values in practical application. American historical Christian roots might be something that offers a hint of an answer to what Bhutan’s King seeks?
Pastor Don
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你听说过「国民幸福总值」吗？不丹第四代龙王吉格梅·辛格·旺楚克五十年前，自创「国民幸福总值」，即为免陷入西方物质主义「国民生产总值」陷阱中，他们国家的经济 政策是以佛教价值观为基础。
大约十二年前，我在中国西安的全球教育联盟会议上第一次听说这个特殊的国家观点。在聆听不丹政府官员描述这个梦想时，我发现完全不同意他所说的是不负责任的，毕竟大部份的人生目标不就是为了要有有意义和快乐的生活吗？这「国民幸福总值」的概念：不计较物质的拥有及世界的成功，对基督徒来说也该不难吧？
「国民幸福总值」概念的四个支柱是永续发展、文化价值的保留、自然环境的保护、和良好治理的设立。生为基督徒，我必须想：到底我们能否同样精简地将我们的基本信仰说给需要听到的人呢？基督徒的「快乐」是我们与基督和弟兄姐妹建立关系后，信心的附产品。「快乐」和「喜乐」确实是耶稣追随者要紧紧把握的。我们的「喜乐」不受感情、环境影响；「喜乐」应该被高度看重，因它是来自圣灵在我们生命中做的工。我们是 上帝家庭的一份子，要如何成为 基督教会的祝福？记得保罗说：「因我活着就是基督，我死了就有益处（腓立比书1：21）。」我们要在实际行动上彰显我们的价值观。美国基督徒的历史背景可能可以暗示答复不丹国王所追求的？
主内，简国忠