SANGHA LAW DIVISION: GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SANGHA AID CENTER ON LAW AND DISPUTE FOR STRENGTHENING SANGHA ADMINISTRATION IN THAI SOCIETY

Abstract

The research article aimed to 1. Study the general situation in the administration of the Thai Sangha. 2. Study the guidelines for the establishment of the Sangha Aid Center on Law and Dispute. 3. Propose (draft) the Sangha Aid Center on Law and Dispute. 4. Present policy recommendations to practice and drive the center, conducted with the mixed research methods with the qualitative research and operational research. 28 key informants were selected for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Workshop conducted with 100 monks. The research tools were an interview form, a focus group discussion assessment form and a set of workshops. Descriptive data analysis focused on the summary of content.

The results of the research revealed that 1. The Thai Sangha Administration has most of the abbots at the working age with worldly and spiritual knowledge, flexible management, uphold honesty. Most monks have a relatively low level of secular education. The abbots lacked management knowledge. Although most people are Buddhist but still lacked budget support and agencies that provide knowledge about the administration of the Sangha are not enough. 2. Guidelines for the establishment of the Sangha Aid Center consisted of the administrative structure, roles, budget and location still lacking. 3. Preparing (draft) the Provincial Sangha Regulations...concerning the establishment of the Sangha Aid Center for Law and Disputes consisting of principles and reasons, objectives, terminology, administrative structure and scope of authority and 4. Policy recommendations. The National Buddhism Office should allocate budget to support the establishment of the center and include in the reform plan for Buddhist affairs under the supervision of the Sangha Supreme Council and should establish a center to cover all provinces, at least 1 center in each province and set up a center council of Thailand.