Good Governance in the Management of Temple Subsidies

Abstract

The study had the following objectives: 1) to investigate the problems in the management of temple grants; 2) to explore the guidelines to prevent corruption in the management of temple grants; and 3) to develop a model and a process to implement good governance in the management of temple grants. In the study, a documentary research method was applied by analyzing the content and presenting it in a descriptive method. From the study, the following results were found: 1) The problems in the management of temple grants arise from the misconduct of the administrators of the National Office of Buddhism through their collaboration within the organization, which includes approving the budget, falsifying documents, and seeking cooperation partners with the temples to jointly commit corruption in applying for grants, as well as the Khadi Ngoen Thon Wat (change returned by the temples) scheme. Another problem is the lack of knowledge and understanding of the monks, lay ministry, and administrators in the temples in managing accounting, temple data, and community participation; 2) The guidelines to prevent corruption in the management of temple grants include the use of good governance, which includes the rule of law, ethical conduct, transparency, efficiency, participation, accountability, and Buddhist teachings. These Buddhist teachings refer to Dasarājadhamma (the tenfold virtue of the king), self-conduct on the path of Dhamma, management and governance, honest behavior, and Dhamma king as the guidelines to prevent corruption in the management of temple grants. These are considered the wholesome course of action that should be practiced; and 3) From the study of developing a model and process for implementing good governance in the management, it is evident that the essence of good governance and indicators should be used to evaluate performance and implement good governance, along with the process of setting up systems and adjusting structures, allocating budgets, requesting and approving funds, disbursing funds, monitoring and evaluating the use of temple grants. This demonstrates that, in terms of management problems and guidelines to prevent corruption, the National Office of Buddhism and temples should integrate good governance with Buddhist teachings to ensure effective and efficient management of temple grants.