Temple’s Environmental Management to Reach Urban Communities Needs by the Bawon Based Synergy

Abstract

The research article aimed at investigating context and problems of environmental management at Wat Mai (Yai Paen), the Buddhist peaceful means conducive to environmental management according to modern science, as well as developing environmental management in temple based on ‘Bowon’ power to meet the needs of urban communities. The study conducted in-depth interviews with 19 key informants to collect data in 4 areas: 1) 8 key informants in the areas; 2) 2 key informants in governmental sectors; 3) 3 specific experts; and 4) 6 key informants on environmental management in model temples.

From the study, the following results are found: 1) Wat Mai (Yai Paen) has a number of problems including an environment that does not support religious activities due to the dumping of waste and manure, inadequate lighting, disorderly traffic within the temple, outdated and dirty restrooms, and a lack of green space inside the temple; 2) Concepts and the Buddhist peaceful means conducive to environmental management according to modern science are (1) Quality management based on Deming Cycle including planning, doing, checking, and acting, (2) Environmental management through a partnership between the village, temple, and government sector, (3) ‘Sappāya’ (four suitable conditions) including vāsa-sappāya (suitable abode), hārn-sappāya (suitable food), Dhamma-sappāya (suitable dhamma), puggala-sappāya (suitable person); and 3) The development of environmental management in temple based on ‘Bowon’ power is carried out through organizing ‘big cleaning’ activities around the temple, improving restrooms, painting the ‘kuti’ (monks’ residence), organizing and fixing broken things, making temple area plans, marking bus lanes and parking spaces, planting trees and increasing light with solar cell lamps, installing CCTV within temple areas. Monks and novices of Wat Mai (Yai Paen) should collaborate to manage the environment within the temple for sustainability.