TEMPLE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABBOT IN THE SANGHA ADMINISTRATIVE AREA, KHAO CHA-NGUM SUBDISTRICT, PHOTHARAM DISTRICT, RATCHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to study the level of temple management of the abbot in the Sangha administrative area, Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, 2) to compare the temple management of the abbot in the Sangha administrative area, by classifying according to personal factors, and 3) to study problems, obstacles, and suggestions for the temple management of the abbot in the Sangha administrative area. The study was the mixed method research between quantitative and qualitative research. In term of quantitative research, it used the questionnaire as the tool to collect the data in the field study from 384 sample population in Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. The data were analyzed through frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, F-test, one-way analysis of variance. In term of qualitative research, using the documentary analysis and interview as the tools to collect the data in the field study from 9 key informants and analyzed the data through the content analysis technique.The research results found that: 1) Temple management of the abbot in the Sangha administrative area, Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province in overall, it was at a moderate level. When considering each aspect, it was found that the aspect with the highest average value was the aspect involved in education, training, and teaching the Dhamma and Vinaya to monks and laypeople at a moderate level. As for the aspect with the lowest average value, namely the aspect of governing and monitoring the monks and laypeople living in the temple to follow the Dhamma and Vinaya, the rules of the Sangha, regulations or orders of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand at a moderate level. 2) Comparative results of temple management of the abbot in the Sangha administrative area, Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province by classifying according to personal factors, it was found that the personal factors of the people, namely gender, had an effect on the opinion of the abbot's management of the temple in the Sangha administrative area, Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province in overall was significantly different level at 0.01. The personal factors of the people, namely occupation, had an effect on the opinion of the abbot's management of the temple in the Sangha administrative area, Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province in overall was significantly different level at 0.05. The personal factors of the people, namely age, education and income had an effect on the opinion of the abbot's management of the temple in the Sangha administrative area, Khao Cha-Ngum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province in overall was not different. 3) Problems, obstacles, and suggestions: it was found that poor social and economic conditions resulted in the construction and restoration of temple buildings not progressing. Laity living in some temples brought social problems and drugs prevalence in the temples, and the temple still lacked of personnel to promote education for monks and novices, and also lacked of facilities maintenance. As for the recommendations, plans for construction or restoration of buildings should be determined as appropriate and should be coordinated with government officials, and be especially strict about monitoring the laity’s behavior living in temples, should promote and support educational personnel for both monks and novices, should promote caring for residences according to the principles of “Temple 5S.”