COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Culture and Religion
and documented in almost 400 temples and photographic records of antiques were made in about 200 temples
during the Plan period.
10.18 Three shaydras were established during the 6th plan. One Shaydra was opened in Drametse in Tashigang
with 100 lay priests. Nunneries were opened in Bjakchukama in Punakha and Kila Gonpa in Paro with enrolments
of 25 nuns in each nunnery.
10.19 Orientation in Driglam Namzha (Etiquette and manners) and Bhutanese culture were given in Junior
schools, High schools, Sherubtse College, Kanglung as well as other institutions. However, due to shortage of
instructors in Driglam Namzha, not all institutions received such instruction.
10.20 A 13 member Dzongkha Advisory Board was instituted to take effective measures to develop Dzongkha as
the national language and a Dzongkha Development Commission established to implement these activities. The
immediate need in the 6FYP was to develop Dzongkha text books. The Dzongkhag Development Commission
revised the dzongkha language school textbooks from Class II to VI and reference books from Class II to VIII.
Other books prepared include a book for the Khaling Muenselling School, a Moral Science, Dzongkha grammar
book, a draft Dzongkha-dzongkha dictionary, and a Dzongkhag-English dictionary. The Dzongkhag Development
Commission also carried out a linguistic survey, organized Dzongkha classes for about 5,000 non-dzongkha
speaking people and provided training in using dzongkha typewriters and computer software.
V. Objectives for the 7FYPV. Objectives for the 7FYP
10.21 The objectives of the 7th Plan are to:
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· provide continuity in the development process through the preservation and adaptation of culture
during a period of change.
· respond to the religious needs of the population whose values may be challenged.
· encourage greater awareness and appreciation of Bhutan's cultural heritage both by the population and
the outside world.
· increase the popularity of dzongkha as a medium of mass communication and official correspondence.
10.22 The main strategies for achieving the objectives are:
· to sustain and strengthen the institutions of the Dratshangs or Rabdeys and to encourage scholarship in
order to expand the wealth of knowledge in Bhutan. This will be furthered by the establishment of the
Domkhar Buddhist Institute in Bumthang.
· provide opportunities for the integration of monks into the development process
· expand the collections in the National Museum and National Library and to undertake conservation
work for private and government collections in the dzongs, monasteries, temples and houses. The
National Museum will set up a fumigation chamber to conserve its acquisitions. The National Museum
will continue to organise international mobile exhibitions to make the collection more accessible to
those who can not visit Bhutan and thus reach a wider audience.
· recording and documentation of cultural heritage. Documentation and recording will be made of
rituals and ceremonies; antiques and art objects; written materials on both secular and religious subjects
and oral traditions.
· production of media materials and orientation courses for the education of all sections of society in
Bhutanese tradition and culture.
VI. Programmes for the 7FYPVI. Programmes for the 7FYP
Establishment of Domkhar Buddhist InstituteEstablishment of Domkhar Buddhist Institute
10.23 One of the main activities in the 7th Plan will be the opening of Domkhar Buddhist Institute. The
Tashichholing dzong premises in Bumthang will be turned into an Institute with an initial enrolment of 15 students
and a total capacity of 50 students mostly carrying out research. It is hoped that the Institute will be founded by
Royal Charter which will establish its independence, so that the Institute will attract not only monks, lay scholars
(both men and women) but also international students. The long term plan is to build this Institute into an
international centre for, first of all Buddhist studies, and then studies of the Himalayan region.