Church and state entwine in Bhutan, where King Jigme Singye Wangchuck [at left] wears a yellow scarf, a symbol of his authority, as he consults with Buddhist leaders on matters of public policy. His audience this day: the four lopons, or masters, of the central monastic body in Bhutan.
"Only through a blend of tradition and modernity can we enhance the quality of life of our people," declares the 35-year-old monarch, a hands-on ruler who speaks flawless English and used to play a decidedly un-Bhutanese sport—basketball—in his spare time.
—From "Bhutan: Kingdom in the Clouds," May 1991, National Geographic magazine
Journey across the Himalaya to the isolated peaks of Bhutan, where the Buddhist citizens of this "hermit kingdom" are catching up to the modern world at a slow and gentle pace.
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