The aspiration towards enlightenment, and belief in the innate goodness of human beings, is widely shared by the people of Bhutan, the majority of whom practice Mahayana Buddhism. In spite of life’s suffering and hardships, the Bhutanese devotion to the teachings of loving-kindness remains ever present.

Monks and nuns play an important role in the daily lives of Bhutan’s people. Performing religious ceremonies, they help to preserve their ancient culture. They provide community services and offer council, helping to preserve and promote the teachings of wisdom and compassion which are the heart of Bhutan’s unique heritage.

These renowned teachers emerge directly from Bhutan’s unique system of spiritual education and practice. Through their living examples, these holders of the flame inspire others, passing on their wisdom and tireless energy of compassion.

Seventy-two percent of the country is covered by forests filled with many species unique to Bhutan. The government is determined to conserve this wealth, and has set a national policy to maintain at least 60% of land under forest cover for all time to come.

Bhutan is also filled with rare animals, including the golden langur, takin, snow leopard, black-necked crane, red panda, Himalayan black bear, and countless more. Unbelievably, 26% of the country has been declared as nature parks and reserves which form havens for a number of the world’s rare and endangered species.

"World Wildlife Fund has been privileged to work with the Royal Government and the people of Bhutan since 1977, not long after His Majesty assumed the throne. Bhutan's unique array of wild plants and animals has led to its listing among WWF's inventory of the planet's most outstanding world habitats. In 1989, WWF published a paper entitled Bhutan: Right from the Start. That paper profiled a small Himalayan Kingdom where pristine ecology stood in marked contrast to the destruction that was occurring elsewhere in the region. The King and Royal Government were determined to better the lives of their citizens by drawing on the resources and skills of the modern world, but do so without sacrificing their ancient cultural. spiritual and ecological ideals. A decade later, Bhutan has as much to teach the world as it has to learn.

... a timely and evocative reminder of what is at stake, and what a
quarter-century of visionary leadership and a determined people can
accomplish."

-Kathryn S. Fuller, President, World Wildlife Fund