BUDDHIST GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHIST ADMINISTRATIVE MONKS UNDER ADMINISTRATION OF SANGHA IN AMPHAWA DISTRICT, SAMUT SONGKHRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to 1. assess the level of practice, 2. compare the leadership of ecclesiastical administrators, and 3. examine problems, obstacles, and propose recommendations regarding Buddhadhamma pibhavana (Buddhist governance) for enhancing the leadership of ecclesiastical administrators in the governance of the Sangha in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires distributed to 156 monks, and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-tests, F-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The qualitative component involved in-depth interviews with 9 key informants, analyzed through contextual content analysis.

The findings revealed that: 1. The overall level of practice of Buddhist governance principles for leadership development among ecclesiastical administrators was high, with a mean score of 3.87. 2. The comparison of leadership practices found that personal factors such as age, years of ordination, and education did not significantly influence monks' application of Buddhist governance principles, leading to the rejection of the research hypothesis. 3. Key obstacles included a lack of planning skills among ecclesiastical administrators and external interference from laypeople in temple affairs. The study recommends providing targeted training and education to strengthen leadership and planning capabilities among ecclesiastical administrators, especially regarding effective governance of monastic communities.