Product Details

• Actors: Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, Lyonpo Jigme Yoezar Thinley, Jigme Drukpa, HH the Dalai Lama, Music By: Paul Horn & Christopher Hedge
• Directors: Thomas Vendetti;Producers: John Wehrheim & Robert Stone
• Format: HiFi Sound, NTSC, Widescreen
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Vendetti Productions
• DVD Release Date: December 25, 2007
• Run Time: 65 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0019DKLHY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,498 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Just the looks of his (director Tom Vendetti's) subjects on screen are intoxicating, amidst the film s colorful, mesmerizing cinematography and music by Christopher Hedge, Paul Horn and Jigme Drukpa of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts.
-Rick Chatenever, Making the Scene --Maui News, Scene Magazine (11/1/07)

Product Description
Imagine a country where happiness is the guiding principle of government. Imagine a people who see all life as sacred and the source of their happiness, a place with an abundance of clean and renewable energy, a nation committed to preserving its culture and whose progress is measured by obtaining Gross National Happiness for its people. Where is this Shangri-La? Bhutan. But can a place like Bhutan really exist? Can such ideals be realized? Can this small, geographically isolated country tucked away in the Himalayans truly protect its environment and culture as they open their doors to the West? The answer is rooted in the Bhutanese view of the world, anchored in Buddhism, with the simple message that happiness can only be found by taking the middle path the path that balances the needs of man with the powerful spirits of nature.
--Bonus Feature - A short film in which His Holiness the Dalai Lama expresses his views on happiness. The interview took place in Dharamsala, India, where he resides in exile. The backdrop for the film is scenery from the documentary film Sacred Tibet The Path To Mount Kailash.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by monks from around the world, December 18, 2008

By	Robert C. Stone (Makawao, Hawaii, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"The documentary taught me about the importance of happiness in one's life. It used Bhutan as an example of how to achieve that happiness. Everyone has different definitions of happiness, and for Bhutanese it is peace, security, and contentment. The Bhutanese people value the spiritual qualities of the mind above all else. They only require the basic education, health, housing, and food; nothing beyond that. If asked what would make them happier, they seek for more free time to spend with their family and friends. No government can provide internal happiness but they can provide the environment to develop that happiness. The Bhutanese have set out to achieve this through the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. The moral I found in this film is that things inside are more valuable then things on the outside. More is not necessarily better; being satisfied with what you already have is better."
-Brendan Apichano Bhikkhu
from Australia

"Today is a great day. Although Bhutan is a poor country they have great happiness. Today I was again reminded of how important human life is. We are very lucky. Even though in Bhutan, the education, economy, and number of citizens is low, they have great happiness. They care for each other very well. His Majesty Jigme is a very special person; he sits on the floor with his people as one of them. I have never seen a king do that. The country that has a good and honorable king is a country with happiness. This is a wonderful point of Bhutan. Today I saw men and women say that money, good looks, and material wealth is of little value, happiness is what we really need."
-Novice Sajeeb
from Nepal

"I was very impressed with the movie today. In my opinion, the meaning of the film, among the many that can be found therein, was to have the effort and contentment in things that one already has. Then the highest happiness, that which sustains itself from within, can be found.
I was reminded that, whatever it is we do in life, we must have true happiness"
Novice Gantabaar IKQ 17yrs
-from Mongolia

"Today was a memorable day. I got to know Bhutan. Even though this country is small and poor it has happiness. What about us as a whole? This country really touches my heart. Everyone cares for one another. The people of Bhutan have happiness but not from the 5 senses, from their own heart. One day I hope that I will meet with a happiness like this. The country has Buddhism, the teachings of the Lord Buddha and Sangha, so the people can easily know what to do with their life and how to bring peace and happiness into it. I hope that in the future, no matter if people are poor, have Mercedes Benz, have a big house, nice wife and family, or etc. that everyone can bring happiness into their lives through meditation and through the teachings of Lord Buddha."
-Novice Bishal 14 yrs.
from Nepal

"Today I learn about Bhutan's "GNH" program and how it is helping to preserve the nation's environment and culture while moving forward economically in the 21st century. Bhutan is a very beautiful country that is slowly opening up to the world in order to preserve their traditions. I like the smiles on the people's faces. It is interesting to see how articulate the people are in English. The people clearly see the negative dangers that television, the internet, and Western advertising bring to their traditional Buddhist society"
-Sean Dhammiko Bhikkhu
from America

"Today I learned about a country that is very content and never unhappy in trying to preserve their culture and nature and trying to develop the country. Even the farmers are so happy because one of their priorities is that they do not want to destroy nature. They just want good health and good education. They want to keep the society growing along with the economy. I can feel that His Majesty the King is very kind and a great example. He takes care of all of his people so well, like a father and he knows that happiness is through inner peace. I believe that he can take care of them every time and for good things."
-Novice David 16
from Mongolia

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Public Television, October 5, 2008

By	T. Endetti "Traveler" - See all my reviews

This film offers an interesting look at a people confronting and balancing the forces of modernization and economic development with spirituality and a desire to preserve traditional culture. The subject matter aligns with this larger modern search for happiness and fulfillment in an increasingly material and impersonal world. In addition, this philosophy of "Gross National Happiness" falls in line with the very real global need to adjust behavior and mindset to account for responsible environmental practices and to live more in harmony with nature.