ADMINISTRATION OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICIALS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE BASED ON BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) Study the administrative conditions of Sangha administrators for public service; 2) Examine related Buddhist principles; and 3) Propose ecclesiastical administration guidelines for public service according to Buddhist principles. This qualitative study collected data through documentary research and in-depth interviews with 20 purposively selected informants-comprising Sangha administrators, Buddhist scholars, political scientists, and community leaders-along with focus group discussions involving 12 experts. The research instrument, a structured interview form, was validated by five experts. Data were analyzed using content analysis and verified via triangulation. Findings revealed that Sangha administrators govern under the Sangha Act B.E. 2505, structured hierarchically from temples to the Supreme Sangha Council. They drive six missions: administration, religious education, educational welfare, propagation, public utilities, and public welfare. The applied Buddhist principle, Sangahavatthu IV (Dāna, Piyavācā, Atthacariyā, Samānattatā), significantly enhances public trust and administrative efficiency. Consequently, Sangha administrators have expanded their roles from religious leaders to integrated public service providers, fostering community empowerment. The proposed guidelines emphasize developing a public service ecosystem, social mediation, institutional trust, and community empowerment driven by Sangahavatthu IV. Furthermore, this study synthesized a new body of knowledge, the MGPS Model, comprising M = Moral Leadership, G = Good Governance, P = Public Service, and S = Sustainability. This model serves as a guiding framework to enhance ecclesiastical administration in contemporary society.