The Four Bases of Spiritual Power as a Mechanism for Institutional Integration between the Sangha and Local Administrative Organizations in Developing Creative Areas: A Buddhist Sociological Perspective

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) examine the role of the Four Bases of Spiritual Power) in fostering institutional collaboration, and investigate the mechanisms by which the monastic community and subdistrict local administrative organizations integrate to drive creative area development, (2) analyze this institutional integration process within the theoretical framework of Buddhist Sociology, and (3) develop social mechanism of institutional integration based on The Four Bases of Spiritual Power for sustainable creative area development. A qualitative case study approach was employed, integrating document analysis with fieldwork. Data were collected using a researcher-developed interview guideline. Eighteen key informants, including Buddhist monks, local leaders, local administrative officials, community volunteers, and residents, were purposively selected. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, participant and non-participant observations, and documentary analysis in October 2022. The data were analyzed using interpretive content analysis informed by the concepts of The Four Bases of Spiritual Power, Talcott Parsons' structural-functional theory, and the Buddhist Sociology Framework.

The findings indicate that The Four Bases of Spiritual Power extends beyond its conventional interpretation as a Buddhist doctrine for individual accomplishment. Instead, it functions as a Buddhist social mechanism that cultivates institutional trust, shared values, collective commitment, and collaborative action among religious and civic institutions. Within the framework of Buddhist Sociology, the Four Bases of Spiritual Power enable institutional integration between the monastic community and local administrative organizations, thereby strengthening collaborative governance and facilitating sustainable development of creative areas. The study further demonstrates that Buddhist principles can be reconceptualized theoretically as sociological mechanisms linking religious institutions to local governance structures. This reconceptualization advances Buddhist Sociology by proposing The Four Bases of Spiritual Power as a conceptual foundation for explaining institutional integration and community-based social development in contemporary Thai society.