THE RELATION BETWEEN THE APPLICATION OF THE DASABIDHARAJA DHAMMA PRINCIPLES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF SANGHA AFFAIRS BY ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICIALS IN NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

     This thesis has four main objectives: 1) to study the level of application of the Ten Royal Virtues (Dasavidha-Rajadhamma) among ecclesiastical administrators in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; 2) to examine the level of Sangha administration conducted by ecclesiastical administrators in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; 3) to investigate the relationship between the application of the Ten Royal Virtues and the administration of Sangha affairs by ecclesiastical administrators in the province; and 4) to propose guidelines for promoting the application of the Ten Royal Virtues in Sangha administration. This study employed a Mixed Methods Research design. The quantitative phase utilized a questionnaire to collect data from 226 Sangha administrators in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The qualitative phase employed in-depth interviews with 18 key informants, including Sangha administrators and religious scholars. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The research findings were as follows:

1. 1. The overall application of the Ten Royal Virtues (Dasavidha-Rajadhamma) among Sangha administrators in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province was at a high level. Among the dimensions, Tapa (self-discipline and diligence) had the highest mean score, while Pariccaga (self-sacrifice) had the lowest mean score.


2. The overall level of Sangha administrative management was at a high level. Among the dimensions, public utility management (Satharanupakara) had the highest mean score, whereas religious education administration had the lowest mean score.


3. The application of the Ten Royal Virtues was positively correlated with Sangha administrative management at a high level (r = .806), with statistical significance at the .001 level.


4. The guidelines for promoting the application of the Ten Royal Virtues suggest integrating Buddhist virtues into the strategic plans of Sangha administration, enhancing the capacity of Sangha administrators, and establishing a continuous monitoring and evaluation system in order to strengthen morality, transparency, and organizational effectiveness within the Sangha.