The Effects of External Environment of Economic and Industry Competitive Forces and Internal Environment of Benefits and Safety on Monks and Novices on Mission in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to study the economic factors, industry competitive forces, and the needs of benefits and safety of monks and novices affecting their mission in the Southern provinces of Thailand. The population of this study consisted of 720 monks and novices on mission in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwas provinces. The sample group of 295 monks and novices was drawn by a convenient sampling technique. The independent variables were physical characteristics of religious places, economic external environment and competitive forces, internal environment: benefits and safety, whereas dependent variable was religious mission competency. The tools for data collection were questionnaire and interview. Main findings from this research were summarized as follows: majority of respondents were between 20-30 years old, with 6-10 years of monkhood. Most of them completed 1-3 levels of Pali Studies with bachelor degree and lived in small size temples with less than 10 staying monks. The distance between district city to the temples was about 0-5 kilometers. Majority of respondents were able to accept 1-10 invitations beyond temples per month and perform their activities in every important religious days. The effect of economic environment resulted in the less number of people coming to the temples. The respondents rated at the high level for the statement: “degree of severity of
the situation has less effect on Buddhist mission”. However, they seemed to disagree with the statements: “conversion of religion and suitable help from the state”. Their views on the statements: “various social welfares should be provided” and “four requisites are sufficient” were at the moderate level. Regarding the open ended questions, it was found that the monks and novices were not confident in their safety. Transportation was needed. Budgets for temple development and activities were required. With regard to data collected and analyzed from interview the Sangha administrators in three southern provinces suggested that more welfares should be provided, especially in the areas of health, education, safety of going to preach the Buddhadhamma, and temple ruins. In addition, the government should give more help to improve the situation. They should not simply assume that the situation would be fine as long as Buddhists were in the state of mentally strong and peace loving. This study suggested that 1) the macro-networks to help the Buddhists and monks should be created; 2) lay-persons committee should be formed to manage and provide welfares to Buddhist communities; and 3) the government must integrate budget to gain benefit and assure safety for both inside and outside service temple, and focus on active Dhamma propagation.