GUIDELINES FOR PROMOTING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERS USING THE PRINCIPLES OF BRAHMAVIHARA DHAMMA

Abstract

This article presented an approach to promote the characteristics of local political leaders by using the principles of Brahmmavihara-dhamma, the divine dhamma, namely, loving-kindness, compassion, mudita, and equanimity. These principles can be applied to develop leadership with morality and ethics appropriate for local administration. It was found that the principles of the divine dhamma can be an important guideline for developing local political leaders to be compassionate towards the people (loving-kindness), sympathetic and ready to help solve the people’s problems (compassion), happy and promote the success of the community (mudita), and neutral, fair, and free from bias in policy decision-making (equanimity). The application of the principles of Brahmmavihara dhamma in developing leadership can enhance public trust, increase administrative efficiency, and reduce political conflicts at the local level. Therefore, relevant agencies should encourage local political leaders to apply these principles through workshops and activities to enhance ethical awareness.