THE ROLE OF SANGHA IN PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE IN PUBLIC WELFARE OPERATION DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID- 19) PANDEMIC

Abstract

The Sangha in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province under Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya sects have been working in public welfare, which is one of the main tasks of the Thai Sangha that has been a continuous operation at the level of the Provincial Sangha, the District Sangha, Sub-district Sangha, and Temple Sangha when it comes to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic in Thailand began on January 13, 2020, public welfare operations are more intensifying. The various levels of Sangha perform public welfare work with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. It can be divided into 3 projects which consist of 1.Establishment of a center to help people affected by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic following the initiative of the Supreme Patriarch. 2.The establishment of the “Phra Tam Nam Suk” cabinet 3.The “Nam Suk Por Piang” cultivation of gardening plants for sufficiency according to the sufficiency economy philosophy. The Public welfare operations of the Sangha in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic, these 3 projects are in line with the strategic plan for the reform of Buddhism affair 2017 to 2021 which is a national strategic plan and also in line with the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya strategy plan for the reform of Buddhism affair 2018 to 2021 which is the provincial strategic plan. The public welfare operations of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya’s Sangha in all 3 projects has helped alleviate the suffering of those who are affected by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic, both for the Sangha, government agencies, and the people extremely.