STUDY GENERAL CONTEXT OF THE MONK’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SAMUTSONGKHRAM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article is part of a research study on The Monk’s Participation Development in the Community Development By Buddhist Way in Samutsongkhram Province. Objectives was to study general context of the monk’s participation in the Samutsongkhram community development. Methodology was the qualitative research, collected data from document analysis and in-depth-interviewing 30 key informants with structured in-depth-interviewing scripts by face-to-face interviewing  and analyzed data by explanation and descriptive interpretation.

             Findings were as follows: The general context of the monk’s participation process in  Samutsongkhram community development by Buddhist way  revealed  that, in decision process,  monks at Abbot or administrators as the community advisors and people’s spiritual refuges had important roles in decision making and plan management and community assistance in any activities and advices. The outstanding project that the communities in negated to help themselves was the Long Khaek, Long Klong ( Pitch-in Canal Clean-up Project. The benefit sharing aspect, more villagers and laities participated in supporting  monasteries activities and Buddhism promotion. Villages, monasteries and communities live together in peace, harmony  and sufficiency. Monks evaluated the community development project by observing villagers’ behaviors.