THE ROLE OF THE SANGHA IN CARING FOR SICK MONKS IN MUEANG DISTRICT, CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the level of care for sick monks by the Sangha administrative monks at Mueang District, Chonburi Province, 2. To study the factors affecting the care for sick monks by the Sangha administrative monks at Mueang District, Chonburi Province, and 3. To present the development of the role of care for sick monks by the Sangha administrative monks at Mueang District, Chonburi Province, conducted by the mixed research methods. The quantitative research, data were colleted from 277 samples monks. Data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. The qualitative research, data were collected by in-depth-interviewing 9 key informants, analyzed by descriptive interpretation.

The research results were as follows: 1. The role of care for sick monks by the Sangha administrative monks at Mueang District, Chonburi Province, by overall, was at a high level. 2. Factors affecting the care for sick monks by the Sangha administrative monks at Mueang District Chonburi Province were found that the 4 Sanghavatthudhamma principles had effects on the role of caring for sick monks by the Sangha leaders at Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi Province at a statistically significant level of 0.01. They could jointly predict the 4 Sanghavatthudhamma principles by 45.6 percent (R2=.456). Management according to the 4M principles had an effect on the role of caring for sick monks by the Sangha leaders in Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi Province in 3 aspects with statistically significant level of 0.01. They could jointly predict the 4M management by 58.3 percent (R2=.583). Therefore, the research hypothesis was accepted. The development of the role of caring for sick monks by the Sangha administrative monks at Mueang District, Chonburi Province was found that caring for sick monks must integrate care in terms of physical, mental, and social aspects in a holistic manner. The mental aspect emphasized encouragement through understanding conversations and uses the Dhamma as a mental anchor. The social aspect required creating a network of cooperation from the community and relevant agencies.