THE ROLE AND DUTIES OF MONKS SUCH AS A MECHANISM FOR DRIVING COOPERATION AMONG THE PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT, AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE ROI KAEN SARA SIN PROVINCE CLUSTER

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Thailand's stability and sustainability depended on its core institutions: The Nation, religion, and the monarchy. These institutions played a crucial role in shaping and maintaining relationships within Thai society by promoting positive values and culture, preserving and revitalizing Thai arts and culture, and encouraging the acceptance of diverse cultural traditions. The concept of "Bowon" highlighted the essential role of these three institutions in creating a high-quality, moral society where people could peacefully coexist. "Bowon" stood for: "B" Home, the foundation of society. "W" Religious institutions or temples, considered the center of spiritual well-being, and "O" Schools, places for systematic knowledge transmission. This research aimed to study the role and function of the monks as a mechanism for public cooperation in the public and private sectors for sustainable community development in the Roi Kaen Sarasin province cluster. This study explored the role of monks in facilitating cooperation among public and private sectors for sustainable community development in the Roi Kaen Sarasin Province.

Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative approach, gathered data through semi-structured interviews, and ensured the validity of the interview content by having three experts examine and assess the questions using the Content Validity Index (CVI) Score, obtaining a perfect value of 1.00. Participants were selected using a stratified proportional sampling method. A total of 80 participants were chosen, with twenty key informants from each of the four categories in both provinces. These categories comprised: 1) Monks; 2) Government agency officials; 3) Community leaders/citizens; and 4) Private agency personnel.

Main Results: Religious institutions, guided by monks, played a vital role in fostering cooperation among individuals, the government, and private sectors for sustainable community development in five key areas: 1) Socially, they trained, guided, and encouraged good citizenship, served as role models, provided spaces for activities, and advised community organizations; 2) Economically, they exemplified the sufficiency economy, supported livelihoods, sought donations, offered training and guidance, and promoted educational trips; 3) Culturally, they organized events on significant cultural occasions, conserved historical sites and artifacts, promoted local arts and culture, and established spaces for preserving antiquities; 4) In public health, they promoted cleanliness and hygiene practices and educated communities on hygiene; and 5) Environmentally, they focused on preserving temple grounds, advocated for environmental protection, upheld local wisdom in natural resource management, and worked to prevent environmental degradation. These efforts aligned with Buddhist teachings, emphasizing moral promotion, ethical development, quality of life enhancement, knowledge dissemination, and social responsibility.
In summary, religious institutions led by monks were pivotal in fostering cooperation among people, the government, and private sectors for sustainable community development across social, economic, cultural, public health, and environmental domains.

Involvement to Buddhadhamma: Religious institutions, guided by monks, played a significant role in Buddhism for social benefits to promote and develop communities across various sectors by applying the principles of Dharma to improve the quality of life. These principles encouraged practices such as helping each other and fostering a caring society (Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha), sharing resources with people experiencing poverty to create merit and reduce inequality (Giving Alms), and practicing meditation and wisdom to help individuals in the community maintain calmness and mindfulness in solving problems (Meditation), among others.

Conclusions: The findings of this study aligned closely with the core principles of Buddhist teachings, which emphasized the promotion of morality, ethics, a high quality of life, knowledge acquisition, and social responsibility. In conclusion, religious institutions led by monks acted as key facilitators of cooperation among citizens, government agencies, and private businesses. This collaboration drove sustainable community development across five key areas: Social; Economic; Cultural; Public Health; and Environmental.