Abstract

The main objectives of this thesis are  i) to study the past and present  administration of Lao Sangha ii) to study the causes and the problems in the reformation and changes of Lao  Sangha administration, and iii) to suggest the guidelines in solving the problems of Lao  Sangha administration. This study was documentary research. The data  were collected from Lao Buddhist documents including other related books and academic research papers and from seven key informants consisting of two Lao Sangha Standing Committee members, three Lao Sangha governors and two Buddhist scholars. The content analysis technique was employed for data analysis.

The findings of this research were found as follows: the form and development of Lao Sangha administration started from the reign of King Fa Ngum Maharaja, the Lao Sangha itself reformed according to the change of Lane Xang Kingdom in the time of King Xaisetha who reformed the structure of Lao Sangha administration and King Suriyavongsa also offered the Buddhist position for the Lao Sangha who made contribution to Buddhism and Kingdom.

 the problems from Lao Sangha administration were those centralization and orders,  inconsistent with the reality of Lao Sangha Administration, the High Level of Lao Sangha Administration ignored the function and policy implementation and lack of knowledge. This caused the lack of continuity in administration.

In conclusion, the thesis had covered the four important areas in the Lao Sangha administration from its starting point in the reign of King Fa Ngum Maharaja. There was a continuing development until in period of French administration, second areas detailed about Lao Sangha administration from the French administration ended in B.E. 2518 (1975) and the third area noticed the administration of Lao Sangha in the revolutionary zone, the last area started from 1975 (B.E. 2518) to present.(2010) BE.2553