However, such a value-based approach is in accord with the
psychology of Maslow, Max Neef, Cikszenthmialyi and Seligman, as well as
with insights of quantum physics, stating that there is no “objective” world
out there. Everything has a measure of subjectivity. It also corresponds to
recent findings on the correlation between meaning-seeking and mental and
physical health. In addition, it corresponds with the modern life sciences,
particularly post-Darwinian evolutionary biology, which has ascertained
that essentially life itself can be described as an evolutionary meaningseeking
process of organisms, gradually involving higher levels of
intelligence and consciousness.38
Buddhism, like most spiritual traditions, also recognizes a natural
order in life, with corresponding values. For example, serving others is
considered a higher value than serving merely oneself. The Theravadin
school of Buddhism concentrates on individual liberation, while the
Mahayana school (practiced in Bhutan) emphasizes on liberation as a means
to liberate others. So while the Mahayana (the ‘great vehicle’) path thus can
be regarded as ‘higher’, it does not mean that the Theravadin (or Hinayana,
or lesser vehicle) is less important. The latter is a required foundation for the
former.