APPLYING SARANIYA DHAMMA TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FIVE PRECEPTS VILLAGE PROJECT MANAGEMENT BY THE SANGHA IN PHANOM THUAN DISTRICT, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To examine the level of Effectiveness of the Five Precepts Village Project conducted by the Sangha in Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi Province; 2. To investigate the relationship between the Six Principles of Sārāṇīyadhamma and the Effectiveness of the project; and 3. propose guidelines for applying the Six Principles of Sārāṇīyadhamma in project administration, conducted by the mixed-methods research. The quantitative research, data were collected from 396 samples using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.771. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, stepwise multiple regression, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The qualitative research, data were collected by in-depth interviewing 12 key informants, and data were analyzed by descriptive interpretation.

The findings revealed that: 1. The overall Effectiveness of the project was at a high level (  = 4.29, S.D. = 0.52). Among the dimensions, moral conformity (Sīla-sāmaññatā) had the highest mean, followed by kind speech (mettā-vacī-kamma), sharing of benefits (sādhāraṇa-bhogī), and unity in views (diṭṭhi-sāmaññatā), while kind actions and kind thoughts (mettā-Gāya-kamma and mettā-Mano-kamma) had equal means. 2. The relationship between the Six Principles of Sārāṇīyadhamma and Effectiveness was found to be positively correlated at the .01 level of statistical significance. The strongest relationship was with the reduction of domestic violence, followed by reductions in crime, theft, drug-related problems, and community conflicts. 3. The application guidelines indicated that the Sangha played a significant role in promoting religious activities such as chanting and communal merit-making to strengthen unity within the community. They also fostered good relationships among community members and collaborated with government agencies in preventing crime and theft. Furthermore, they emphasized moral cultivation, promoted family warmth, reduced conflicts and verbal violence, raised awareness of the dangers of drugs, and encouraged community participation in sustainable problem-solving. These efforts contributed to enhancing the overall Effectiveness of project administration.