THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY IN DRIVING THE WAT PRACHA RAT SANG SUK PROJECT AT WAT CHAINA, MUEANG DISTRICT, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

     This research aimed to: 1) study concepts and theories related to the role of the community; 2) study the Wat Pracha Rat Sang Suk Project; and 3) analyze the role of the community in driving the Wat Pracha Rat Sang Suk Project at Wat Chai Na, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This study employed a qualitative research approach. Data were collected from the Tipiṭaka, relevant documents, and related research, together with in-depth interviews using an interview form as the research instrument. Key informants included Buddhist scholars, community leaders, officials from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Office of Buddhism, and individuals who played important roles in the project. The data were analyzed using content analysis.

The research findings were as follows:

1. Based on the review of documents, concepts, and theories related to community roles, the findings indicate that communities play a participatory role throughout the development process, including recognizing problems, jointly thinking and planning, making decisions, implementing activities, monitoring and evaluating outcomes, and sharing the benefits of development. This process relies on collaboration among temples, communities, government agencies, and network partners.


2. The Wat Pracha Rat Sang Suk Project aims to develop temples as centers for learning, moral development, and community well-being by applying the 5S principles and the Seven Sappāya principles to create clean, pleasant, safe, and supportive environments conducive to learning and Dhamma practice.


3. The data analysis revealed that the community played four major roles in driving the project: 1) participation in planning, through meetings, consultations, problem analysis, and jointly determining implementation approaches with the temple; 2) participation in temple activities, through direct involvement, contribution of labor and resources, and support for various activities; 3) promotion of morality and the environment, through maintaining cleanliness, improving the environment, and fostering morality, ethics, and public-mindedness; and 4) communication and network building, through coordinating cooperation among the temple, community, government agencies, and the public sector. These roles contributed to a sense of shared ownership, unity, faith, and community strength, while enabling the project to continue effectively and generate benefits for the community in physical, mental, social, and environmental dimensions.