Gross National Happiness in Bhutan: Is Buddhist Constitutionalism Legitimate in the Age of Secularism? A Post-Colonial View

Norren, Dorine E. van

doi:10.3390/rel14010072

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…This, therefore, coherently underlines that post-colonial South African literature emerged as a reaction to colonialism as theory and practice. That is why Van-Norren (2023) debates that colonial practices come under the banner of post-colonialism -a theory of oppositionality that encapsulates the totality of practices that characterize third-world nations, especially in Africa, from the inception of colonialism to the present day. Barnabas (2016) further appears to contend with Orsini (2022) in that the thematic changes of colonialism are associated with the development of African literature.…”

Section: Notable Scholarly Discoursesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ncedile Saule’s Umlimandlela (at the cross-roads) as a witness to colonial and apartheid lexicology in South Africa

Diko

2023

IJRBS

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The primary objective of this article, among other prescripts, is to unravel the lexicological arena of colonialism and apartheid as a pertinent subject in Ncedile Saule’s Umlimandlela (At the cross-roads). The reason to undertake this scholarly discourse is because of the vestigial elements of colonialism and apartheid that continue to subterfuge the constitutional democracy of our country, thereby decaying and delaying social cohesion and consciousness. Post-colonial theory is employed given that it concentrates on matters before and after the formal end of colonialism in South Africa in 1994. On the other hand, qualitative research methodology is utilized to recognize the selected isiXhosa novel as a primary source of data. Through conceptual and contextual discussions, the main findings certify that though South Africa formally ended colonialism, the currently witnessed colonial tendencies are deeply rooted in the colonial and apartheid systems. As a result, it is fair to accept that colonialism and apartheid in South Africa demonstrate resistance and resilience – and that requires maintained and continued discourses in a bid to challenge the conundrum. The concluding remarks call for the recognition and appreciation of isiXhosa modern literature owing to the reality that it provokes colonial and apartheid discourses that will pivot towards reasonable contestations.

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Section: Notable Scholarly Discoursesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ncedile Saule’s Umlimandlela (at the cross-roads) as a witness to colonial and apartheid lexicology in South Africa

Diko

2023

IJRBS

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The Middle Path in Buddhism and its lessons for accounting

Wangchuk,

Morrison,

Finau

et al. 2024

MEDAR

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the moral dimensions of accounting by examining the case of Gross National Happiness (GNH) in Bhutan, and to propose a new approach to accounting that is grounded in the Buddhist principle of the Middle Path. This approach aims to promote well-being and happiness, contrasting with traditional accounting practices. Design/methodology/approach The paper outlines the core concepts of the Middle Path theory and GNH. The authors first problematise the role of traditional accounting in the well-being and happiness project. The authors explore accountability from the Middle Path perspective, which is a key aspect of Buddhist philosophy. Using the concept of Middle Path accountability and GNH in practice, the authors then examine accounting in terms of the four “immeasurable moral virtues” (tshad med bzhi) of the Middle Path. The authors conclude by highlighting the value of the Middle Path for conceptualising accountability and emancipating contemporary accounting from its ethical and theoretical constraints. Findings This paper compares the application of traditional accounting and accountability with the Middle Path and GNH practices. The authors find that ethical discourses in traditional accounting and accountability are not compatible with the values of the Middle Path, thereby limiting the scope of accounting and accountability. This constraint is overcome by introducing four “immeasurable moral virtues” (tshad med bzhi) of Buddhism, which promote spiritual development (wisdom) to replace the existing ethical strands of traditional accounting and accountability to support the well-being and happiness project. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the review of concepts in GNH and Buddhist philosophy. More empirical studies in different contextual settings could increase understanding of how the practice of Middle Path and GNH could drive the project of well-being and happiness through accounting. Practical implications The paper seeks to contribute to the operationalisation of GNH in organisation by framing social and well-being accounting grounded in the Middle Path theory. The authors also seek to clarify the role of accounting as a social and moral practice. Social implications Situated within the fields of social and moral accounting, the paper seeks to elevate the potential role of accounting in the promotion of well-being and happiness of people and other sentient beings. By applying four moral virtues of love, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity in accounting, the authors seek to enhance the role of accounting that could potentially reduce poverty, social inequity, corruption and promote harmony and cultural well-being. Originality/value This study undertakes a conceptual integration of the GNH and Middle Path philosophy to understand the theoretical and ethical implications of traditional accounting and accountability. This contribution to the literature expands the possibilities of accounting and accountability on social and well-being accounting by introducing the Middle Path and GNH concepts.

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Gross National Happiness in Bhutan: Is Buddhist Constitutionalism Legitimate in the Age of Secularism? A Post-Colonial View

Cited by 2 publications

References 12 publications

Ncedile Saule’s Umlimandlela (at the cross-roads) as a witness to colonial and apartheid lexicology in South Africa

Ncedile Saule’s Umlimandlela (at the cross-roads) as a witness to colonial and apartheid lexicology in South Africa

The Middle Path in Buddhism and its lessons for accounting

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