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ABSTRACT
This study of the process and method for conflict management in Theravāda Buddhism consists of 3 objectives, i.e., (1) to study the process and method for conflict management in Theravāda Buddhist Scripture; (2) to study the process and method for conflict management in Thai Sangha; and (3) to comparatively study the process and method for conflict managemet in Theravāda Buddhist Scripture and in Thai Sangha.
From this study, it is found that in Theravāda Buddhist Scripture, the Buddha divided problems into 2 types of 1) the problems dealing with Silācāravatta, the different behaviors; and 2) the problems dealing with monks’ religious observances that have to be dutifully performed, respectively; and the Buddha designed the tools called the Seven Adhikaranasamatha or the 7 ways to settle disputes by separating the means from the problems, with the purposes, i.e., (1) to preserve the principles of Dhammavinaya or the Doctrine and the Discipline; (2) to let monks use as the tools to control the ones who are against Dhammavinaya or the Doctrine and the Discipline; and (3) to be used for the harmony among Sangha. Each of the 7 tools harmonizes and matches well with each other consisting with both method and purposes altogether. For the process and method for managing conflict in Thai Sangha in accordance with the rules of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand in which they are brought from the conceptual process of law of the Kingdom of Thailand to help promote and support Buddhist Church for strength by trying to make problem solving be as close as possible with Dhammavinaya. In trying to do so with the base of law as the principle as mentioned, it is therefore not in the conformity of Buddhist Scripture.
The result of the comparative process and method for conflict management between Buddhist Scripture and the rules of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand found that there are different purposes in designating the way to manage conflict. In the Buddhist Scripture, there are principles and method for conflict management by way of separating problems, tools, and types of people, of which each tool harmonizes with each other in having both method and purposes altogether; this is in accordance with the theory of conflict management in ways of prevention, transformation, resolution and restoration. While the process and method for conflict management of Thai Sangha has received evolution from the law of the Kingdom, therefore it emphasizes the principles of punishment according to the law which is only a part of Dhammavinaya; meanwhile, it does not emphasize conservation of the principles of Dhammavinaya and the reconciliation among monks as the Buddha’s original aim.
Hence, the administration of conflict management of Thai Sangha should have knowledge development, understanding, and develop knowledge in good harmony of applying the tools, especially the rules of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand to harmonize with Dhammavinaya in order to concretely manage conflict; this process then can be understood and brought to be truly used together with dissemination the knowledge of governing the newly ordained monks who have not yet reached the 5th year of Vassa or rains-retreat. Under this condition, these newly monks still have to be governed for the education of Dhammavinaya and right behavior which will continually cause peaceful happiness in both Sangha and general societies.
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