Journal of Bhutan Studies
The Journal of Bhutan Studies (ISSN 1608-411X) is a twice-yearly publication of the Centre for Bhutan Studies, an autonomous research institute dedicated towards promoting research and scholarship on Bhutan. The institute is governed by the Council for the Centre of Bhutan Studies. The journal publishes scholarly research on the social, cultural and economic aspects of Bhutan. While Internet edition of the Journal can be accessed through the Centre's own website by clicking here, the Digital Himalaya Project has reached an agreement with the Centre to co-host the journal to improve download speeds for scholars based in Europe and North America, and also to archive the contents on our searchable portal pages. The journal welcomes the submission of articles and research papers in English. Articles should be typed and double spaced and sent by email to the editor at: cbs@druknet.bt. On account of the compression format we have used for the PDF files, we advise that you install the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat which can be downloaded by clicking here. Please send us a short email to say whether this service is of interest and utility to you. Feedback will determine whether we proceed with the digitisation of further volumes.
Volume 20, Summer 2009
- Introduction (94 kb)
author: Journal Editors - Keynote Address (94 kb)
author: Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck - The Impact of Cultural Folklore on National Values: A Preliminary Study with a Focus on Bhutan (201 kb)
author: Steve Evans - Oral Traditions as Alternative Literature: Voices of Dissents in Bhutanese Folktales (143 kb)
author: Dorji Penjore - The Role of Folk Consciousness in the Modern State: Its Efficacy, Use and Abuse (193 kb)
author: Jim Brown - Ritualizing Story: A Way to Heal Malady (152 kb)
author: Tandin Dorji - Preserving Tradition and Enhancing Learning Through Youth Storytelling (152 kb)
author: Ann M. Scroggie - Preserving our Folktales, Myths and Legends in the Digital Era (184 kb)
author: Tshering Cigay Dorji - Oracy in the New Millennium: Storytelling Revival in America and Bhutan (184 kb)
author: Joseph Sobol
Volume 18, Summer 2008
- Multidimensional Poverty in Bhutan: Estimates and Policy Implications (328 kb)
author: Maria Emma Santos and Karma Ura - Socio-economic and Environmental Impact Analysis of Khothagpa Gypsum Mine (400 kb)
author: Karma Galay - Defamation Law in Bhutan: Some Reflections (112 kb)
author: Venkat Iyer - Bhutan National Values Assessment (164 kb)
author: Steve Evans - Health Impacts of Traditional Medicines and Bio-prospecting: A World Scenario Accentuating Bhutan’s Perspective (228 kb)
author: Phurpa Wangchuk - A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Malaria Awareness and Bed Net Use (232 kb)
author: Kado Zangpo, Dr. Nado Zangpo, and Dr. Kjeld Poulsen
Volume 17, Winter 2007
- Political Scenario in Bhutan during 1774-1906: An Impact Analysis on Trade and Commerce (160 kb)
author: Ratna Sarkar & Indrajit Ray - Democracy from Above: Regime Transition in the Kingdom of Bhutan (188 kb)
author: Aim Sinpeng - A Unique Parallel (116 kb)
author: Dr. Sonam B. Wangyal - Khar: The Oral Tradition of Game of Riddles in Tshanglakha Speaking Community of Eastern Bhutan (212 kb)
author: Tshering Dorji - Bhutanese Folktales: Common Man’s Media with Missions for Society (184 kb)
author: Chandra Shekhar Sharma - A Pre-budget Exercise as a Pro-poor Development Tool (224 kb)
author: Phub W. Dorji
Volume 16, Summer 2007
- The Making of a Bhutanese Buddha: Preliminary Remarks on the Biography of Tenzin Gyatso, a Bhutanese Scholar- Yogi (200 kb)
author: Amy Holmes - Inter-Regional Variations in the Inequality and Poverty in Bhutan (316 kb)
author: Sanjeev Mehta - Reflections on Conservation Education and Practice in Bhutan (160 kb)
author: Stephen F. Siebert & Jill M. Belsky - Historical Roots, Spiritual Significance and the Health Benefits of mKhempa-lJong gNyes Tshachu (hot spring) in Lhuntshe (292 kb)
author: Phurpa Wangchuk & Yeshi Dorji - Effect of TRIPS on Pricing, Affordability and Access to Essential Medicines in Bhutan (128 kb)
author: Dr. Tandi Dorji
Volume 15, Winter 2006
- Post-Zhabdrung Era Migration of Kurmedkha Speaking People in Eastern Bhutan (236 kb)
author: Tshering Gyeltshen - A Cheerless Change: Bhutan Dooars to British Dooars (124 kb)
author: Dr. Sonam B. Wangyal - Two Nineteeth Century Trade Routes in the Eastern Himalaya: the Bhutanese trade with Tibet and Bengal (216 kb)
author: Ratna Sarkar and Indrajit Ray - An Analysis of “Meme Haylay Haylay and His Turquoise” using Joseph Campbell's Model of the Hero's Journey (280 kb)
author: A. Steven Evans - Echoes of Folksongs in Bhutanese Literature in English (112 kb)
author: Chandra Shekhar Sharma - Preserving the Consciousness of a Nation: Promoting "Gross National Happiness" in Bhutan Through Her Rich Oral Traditions (184 kb)
author: A. Steven Evans
Volume 14, Summer 2006
- Perspectives on Bhutanese Media (88 kb)
author: Kinley Dorji - Stone Inscriptions: An Early Written Medium in Bhutan and its Public Uses. (200 kb)
author: John Ardussi - Dances in Bhutan: A Traditional Medium of Information (140 kb)
author: Françoise Pommaret - Roar of the Thunder Dragon: The Bhutanese Audio-visual Industry and the Shaping and Representation of Comtemporary Culture (172 kb)
author: Tshewang Dendup - Selling Desire and Dissatisfaction: Why Advertising should be banned From Bhutanese Television. (192 kb)
author: Dr. Ross McDonald - Media, Markets and Meaning: Placing Sustainable Development and Environmental Conservation and Enrichment at Risk (232 kb)
author: Peter D. Hershock - Role of Kuensel in Fostering Democracy in Bhutan (284 kb)
author: Sanjeev Mehta
Volume 13, Winter 2005
- Reconstructing Nineteenth Century Trade Route between Bhutan and Assam: Evidences from British Political Missions (312 kb)
author: Indrajit Ray and Ratna Sarkar - The Historical Anecdote of Kheng Nobilities (212 kb)
author: Lham Dorji - Oral Construction of Exile Life and Times of Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam in Bumthang (168 kb)
author: Dorji Penjore - Religious Life and History of the Emanated Heart-son Thukse Dawa Gyeltshen (212 kb)
author: Lham Dorji - Cattle Management Systems in Humid Subtropical Areas of Western Bhutan (220 kb)
author: NB Tamang and JM Perkins
Volume 12, Summer 2005
- How should Happiness guide policy? Why Gross National Happiness is not opposed to democracy (200 kb)
author: Johannes Hirata - Towards a New Conceptualization of Gross National Happiness and its Foundations (140 kb)
author: Dr. Ross McDonald - Folktales and Education: Role of Bhutanese Folktales in Value Transmission (240 kb)
author: Dorji Penjore - The Positive Impact of Gomchen Tradition on Achieving and Maintaining Gross National Happiness (216 kb)
author: Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi - The Buddhist Truth of Happiness: Spirituality and Development - the case of governance in Bhutan (304 kb)
author: Diederik Prakke
Volume 11, Winter 2004
- The 17th Century Stone Inscription from Ura Village (244 kb)
author: John A. Ardussi - Formation of the State of Bhutan ('Brug gzhung) in the 17th Century and its Tibetan Antecedents (192 kb)
author: John Ardussi - Poverty Alleviation: A Buddhist Perspective (184 kb)
author: Peter D. Hershock - Television, Materialism and Culture: An Exploration of Imported Media and its Implications for GNH (68 kb)
author: Dr Ross McDonald - Bhutanese Public Policy in the 'Century of Interdependence' (140 kb)
author: Peter D. Hershock - Indo-Bhutan Relations Recent Trends (140 kb)
author: Tashi Choden - H.H. Khenpo Jigme Phuntsho: A Tribute and a Translation (136 kb)
author: Karma Phuntsho
Volume 10, Summer 2004
- The Symbolic and Functional Significance of the Chhoetse Penlop: A Tribute to the Sixteenth Chhoetse Penlop (76 kb)
author: Sonam Kinga - A Historical Background of the Chhoetse Penlop (96 kb)
author: Dorji Wangdi - Demise of Tongphu Gyalpo (136 kb)
author: Karma Galay - Myth, Legend and History Surrounding Dungsam (180 kb)
author: Sonam Wangdi - The Myth and the Mystery of Aja Nye (112 kb)
author: Rinzin Wangchuk - Changing Soil Fertility Management in Bhutan: Effects on Practices, Nutrient Status and Sustainability (228 kb)
author: Chencho Norbu - Predator-Prey Dynamics: The Role of Predators in the Control of Problem Species (212 kb)
author: Tashi Wangchuk - International Politics of Bhutan (160 kb)
author: Karma Galay - Security of Bhutan: Walking Between the Giants (160 kb)
author: Dorji Penjore
Volume 9, Winter 2003
- Finding Happiness in Wisdom and Compassion – The Real Challenge for an Alternative Development Strategy (72 kb)
author: Dr. Ross McDonald - Trade, Development, and the Broken Promise of Interdependence: A Buddhist Reflection on the Possibility of Post-Market Economics (156 kb)
author: Peter D. Hershock - Cherry Picking in Bhutan (120 kb)
author: Michael Rowbotham - Putting Gross National Happiness in the Service of Good Development (144 kb)
author: Johannes Hirata - Bhutan's Quadrilemma: To Join or Not to Join the WTO, that is the Question (52 kb)
author: Marc Mancall
Volume 8, Summer 2003
- The Founding of Dungsam Yongla Riwo Pelbar Dargye Chholing and the List of Successive Lamas (148 kb)
author: Contributed by Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck - The First Meeting of the King Ugyen Wangchuck with Raja Ugyen Dorji in Kurjey Lhakhang (96 kb)
author: Contributed by Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck - The Tradition of Betel and Areca in Bhutan (164 kb)
author: Francoise Pommaret - A Language for Rules, Another for Symbols: Linguistic Pluralism and Interpretation of Statutes in the Kingdom of Bhutan (184 kb)
author: Alessandro Simoni - A Provisional Physiographic Zonation of Bhutan (308 kb)
author: Chencho Norbu et al - Types of Land Degradation in Bhutan (176 kb)
author: Chencho Norbu et al - An Analysis of Pegged Exchange Rate Between Bhutan and India (196 kb)
author: Karma Galey
Volume 7, Winter 2002
- The Herdsmen's Dilemma (164 kb)
author: Karma Ura - Grazing Management of Temperate Grasslands and Fallows (164 kb)
author: Walter Roder - Grazing Management in National Parks and Protected Areas: Science, Socio-economics and Legislation (Tenure) (140 kb)
author: Sangay Wangchuk - Condition and Potential for Improvement of High Altitude Rangelands (112 kb)
author: Pema Gyamtsho - Grazing Management in Broadleaf Forests (260 kb)
author: Lungten Norbu
Volume 6, Summer 2002
- A Brief History of Rigsum Goenpo Lhakhang and Choeten Kora in Trashi Yangtse (20 kb)
author: Lam Kezang Chhophel - Folktale Narration: A Retreating Tradition (52 kb)
author: Tandin Dorj - Integral Development: Taking The Middle Path Towards Gross National Happiness (224 kb)
author: Sean Boyd Frye Hargens - Legal Status of the Internet: Are There Lessons to be Learnt from Domain Names and Trade Marks Disputes? (84 kb)
author: Lungten Dubgyur
Volume 5, Winter 2001
- His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama and Bhutan House in Kalimpong (24 kb)
author: Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck - On Bhutanese and Tibetan Dzongs (84 kb)
author: Bruskeland Amundsen - Guide to Chari Monastery- A brief History of Chari Vajraya Monastery (24 kb)
author: His Holiness Nawang Tenzin - History of Has (Ha) Valley (24 kb)
author: Ven. Lam Pema Tshewang - Guide to Chang Gangkha Monastery (24 kb)
author: Ven. Lam Pema Tshewang - The Hidden Valley-Langdraney (32 kb)
author: Lhundup - Publications in Bhutan since the Establishment of the ISBN Agency (40 kb)
author: Sonam Kinga - Patag-The Symbol of Heroes (308 kb)
author: Phuntsho Rapten - Perceptions of Security (72 kb)
author: Karma Ura
Volume 3, Number 1, Summer 2001
- Local Resource Management Institutions: A Case Study on Sokshing Management (120 kb)
author: Sangay Wangchuk - Sustaining Conservation Finance: Future Directions for The Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (208 kb)
author: Tobgay S. Namgyal - Sustainability of Tourism in Bhutan (52 kb)
author: Tandi Dorji - Ensuring Social Sustainability: Can Bhutan’s Education System Ensure Intergenerational Transmission of Values? (56 kb)
author: Tashi Wangyal - The Attributes and Values of Folk and Popular Songs (92 kb)
author: Sonam Kinga - Mass Media: Its Consumption and Impact on Residents of Thimphu and Rural Areas (68 kb)
author: Phuntsho Rapten - Bhutanese Context of Civil Society (48 kb)
author: Karma Galay
Volume 2, Number 2, Winter 2000
- Dorje Lingpa and His Rediscovery of the "Gold Needle" in Bhutan (68 kb)
author: Samten G. Karmay - Population and Governance in the mid-18th Century Bhutan, as Revealed in the Enthronement Record of Thugs-sprul 'Jigs med grags pa I (1725-1761) (76 kb)
author: John Ardussi and Karma Ura - The Monetisation of Bhutan (40 kb)
author: Nicholas Rhodes - On the Two Ways of Learning in Bhutan (108 kb)
author: Karma Phuntsho - Recent Bhutanese Scholarship in History and Anthropology (52 kb)
author: Francoise Pommaret - From Living to Propelling Monuments: the Monastery-Fortress (rdzong) as Vehicle of Cultural Transfer in Contemporary Bhutan (76 kb)
author: Marc Dujardin - Signs of the Degenerate Age: the Desecration of Chorten and Lhakhang in Bhutan (44 kb)
author: Richard W. Whitecross - Continuing Customs of Negotiation and Contestation in Bhutan (68 kb)
author: Adam Pain and Deki Pema - The Politics of Bhutan: Change in Continuity (88 kb)
author: Thierry Mathou
Volume 2, Number 1, Autumn 2000
- The House of 'Obs-Mtsho - The History of a Bhutanese Gentry Family from the 13th to the 20th Centuries (92 kb)
author: John A. Ardussi - Ancient Trade Partners: Bhutan, Cooch Bihar and Assam (17th - 19th Century) (64 kb)
author: Françoise Pommaret - Change in the Land Use System in Bhutan: Ecology, History, Culture and Power (72 kb)
author: Tashi Wangchuk - Economy of Yak Herders (112 kb)
author: Pema Gyamtsho - A Brief History of Tango Monastery (48 kb)
author: Tshenyid Lopen Kuenleg - Consecration Ceremony of Ka-Gong Phursum Lhakhang in Kurjey, Bumthang by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (28 kb)
author: Anonymous
Volume 1, Number 1, Autumn 1999
- Father Estavao Cacella's Report on Bhutan in 1627 (88 kb)
author: Luiza Maria Baillie - Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye and the Founding of Taktsang Lhakhang (84 kb)
author: John A. Ardussi - The Rapprochement between Bhutan and Tibet under the Enlightened rule of rDse-Sde XIII Shes-rab-dbang-phyug (r. 1774-63) (60 kb)
author: John A. Ardussi - Coinage in Bhutan (232 kb)
author: Nicholas Rhodes - Bhutan: Political Reform in a Buddhist Monarchy (84 kb)
author: Thierry Mathou



