Abstract

This research, “The Sangha’s Administration according to the Seven Bhikkhu Aparihaniyadhamma of Thongphaphum District, Kanchanaburi Province”, has three main objectives. Firstly, study the opinion of bhikkhus on The Sangha Administration in Thongphaphum District, Kanchanaburi Province according to the Seven Bhikkhu Aparihaniyadhamma. Secondly, compare and analyse the opinion of bhikkhus on The Sangha Administration in Thongphaphum District, Kanchanaburi Province according to the Seven Bhikkhu Aparihaniyadhamma classified by personal factors. Finally, study the problems of, the obstacles in, and the recommendations on The Sangha Administration in Thongphaphum District, Kanchanaburi Province.

                The sample for this research is randomly-selected 201 monks in Thongphaphum District, Kanchanaburi Province. This research used survey research and questionnaires to collect data and used statistics software to analyses and computes frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.

The result indicates that

              This research is divided into three parts. The first part is the studying of the opinions. The results shown the opinion on the governing sangha that they adapted the principle of the Seven Bhikkhu Aparihaniyadhamma in their adminitration with the score exceeds the level “a lot” (4.30 of 5). When separately considered in detail of each section in the Seven Bhikkhu Aparihaniyadhamma , the “respect for seniority” and “meeting in harmony” are the two topics ranked in the “most” with the score of 4.63 and 4.60 respectively. All of the rest were ranked “very” and have slightly different points. The two topics with the least points are “meeting regularly” and “enjoy the benefit of wilderness dwellings”, 3.83 and 3.88 points respectively.

              The second part studied the personal factors that might affect their opinions. The results show that the formal education is the factor that has the most influence in these sample opinions (sig. = .30). The “Dhamma scholar level” and the “administrative area” factors have significant level of .014 and .01 respectively. Statistically, both of them can also consider as an influence factor. However, 58.2 percent of the sampling with formal education are in the same administrative sub-district, the Thakhanun II. Hence, the result is inconclusive because it is obscure that both factors affect the opinions jointly or individually. The further study in this issue is needed. The age of respondent factor is also has a significant influence on the sample’s opinions (sig. = .001). After closely examined the results, there is an unusual concentration of the sampling population in the age of 20 to 30 years whom ordained for 5 years or less. Moreover, some data were collected during raining season which often has a lot of novices. The novices during raining season have less or in-progress Dhamma scholar level than in other seasons. As a result, the novices, mostly aged between 20 to 30 years, yielded different opinions from the senior monks whom are in other older age groups. Especially, the one between 30 to 40 years old differs significantly (sig. = .001). The result is also inconclusive until further study of the opinions in other seasons.  

              The third part studied problems of and recommendations on the governing of sangha with the Seven Bhikkhu Aparihaniyahamma  in Thongphaphum District, Kanchanaburi Province. The results are (I) A panel of administrative bhikkhus’ Performance should be evaluated and conducted by another panel from other area with honest; (II) Should have meetings, activities or seminars between monks for better relationship; (III) Chief abbot should supports both Dhamma and Formal education to all those who ordained at his best; (IV) Promotes chief abbots to take modern visions, especially new technologies, to use more in their monastery’s managements and developments; (V) Should have creative activities to promote relationship between monastery and community and Should take care all of those who ordained.