ABSTRACT

              The research entitled “Leadership in Sangha Administration of His Holiness SomdejPhramahatheerajarn (NiyomThanissaramahathera)”,consisted of  three main objectives, namely:(1) to study the general and Buddhist concepts and theories of leadership, (2) to study the leadership inSanghaadministration of SomdejPhramahatheerajarn (NiyomThanissaramahathera), and (3) to analyzetheBuddhistleadership of SomdejPhramahatheerajarn (NiyomThanissaramahathera). The qualitative research was conducted in this study.   Documentsanalysis and in-depth interview with 15 key informants were carried out. Content Analysis techniquewas employeed for the collected data.

The findings of this research wereconcluded as follows:

                   1. For the leadership inSanghaadministration of SomdejPhramahatheerajarn(NiyomThanissaramahathera)in respect of sixaspects, it was found that:1) with regard to administrative one, His Holiness had initially enacted and ordered rules and regulations for living together as a case of rule enaction for enforcement, 2)for religious education, he had revitalized and established Pali Studies School in the temple and he was also a leader in laying down the practical framework for religious studies, 3) for the welfareeducation, he was a leading Buddhist monk who had established the first pre-nursery school in the temple and he had set up educationa fund for students both in primary and pre-nusery schools, 4)for the propagation, he had authored many Dhamma books various occasions,  5) for the construction and renovation works, he was one of the best developers, thinkers and designers of this work, many restorated and new buildings and construction project for WatThipsukantharam at Kanchanaburi province were carried out in his abbotship,and 6)for the social welfare, he had done various social welfare activities with the active cooperation and assistance from governmental and private agencies, he was a leader in established Vocational Training Center for the public.

                   2. With regard to Buddhist leadership, SomdejPhramahatheerajarn (NiyomThanissaramahathera) had applied many Buddhadhammaprinciples to all six aspects of Sangha administration such asKosalla III (skills), Brahmavihara IV (sublime states of mind), Aparihaniyadhamma 9things leding never to decline but only to prosperity), Iddhipada IV (path of accomblishment), Papanikadhamma (qualities of a successful shopkeeper) i.e. Cakkhuma (shrewd), Vudhuro (capable of administering business) and Nissayasampanno (having good credit rating),Suppurisadhamma VII (qualities of a good man), Sangahavathu IV (bases of sympathy), Bhavana IV (trainng), Bahussuta V (qualities of a learned person), and Cakka IV (virtues wheeling one to prosperity).

                   3. The guildlines to apply the leadership inSangha administration of SomdejPhramahatheerajarn (NiyomThanissaramahathera) for the improvement of the efficiency of the Sangha administrationrevealed that:Sangha administrators should apply Buddhdhammaprinciples  toimprove the work performances in Sanghaadministrationand should also apply the Buddhadhamma in Sangha administration in order to meetall policies laid down by the Buddha as His Holiness had applied.