EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RELIGIOUS SUCCESSORS: AN INTEGRATIVE ANALYSIS BASED ON BUDDHIST THOUGHT AND ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

Abstract

This academic article aimed to analyze the effective management of religious successors through an integrative framework that combines Buddhist principles with modern organizational management theories. Within the Thai sociocultural context, Buddhist monks serve not only as religious successors but also as spiritual leaders and influential social agents. In light of challenges such as declining ordination rates, shifting youth values, and globalized cultural pressures, this study applied key effectiveness models from organizational theory-including the goal-attainment approach, system approach, strategic constituencies, and competing values framework-together with core Buddhist teachings such as Iddhipada, Bases of Success, Sappurisa- dhamma, the Qualities of a Noble Person and Majjhima Patipada. the Middle Way. The article proposed a five-dimensional evaluation model encompassing productivity, adaptability, attitude and wisdom, collaboration, and community satisfaction. Furthermore, it offered strategies for developing monastic institutions as learning organizations grounded in Dhamma, ensuring a sustainable and spiritually authentic succession of the Buddhist Sangha in the modern world.