Management of 4 Requisites According to Buddhist Philosophy by Monks and Novices of Wat Chong Kham, the Royal Temple, Ban Huat Sub-District, Ngao District, Lampang Province

Abstract

The objectives of this article were as follows: 1) to study management of 4 requisites according to Buddhist philosophy by monks and novices in a Buddhist temple 2) to study problems in the management of 4 according to Buddhist philosophy of monks and novices in a Buddhist temple, and 3) to propose guideline for management of 4 requisites according to Buddhist philosophy of monks and novices in a Buddhist temple. This research uses a qualitative method with the target group consisting of 27 monks and novices at Wat Chong Kham the royal temple, Ban Huat sub-district, Ngao district, Lampang province as the main information providers.

The results of research were found that: 1)  Management of 4 requisites was found that robes and clothes were offered 3 times a year, food for alms was provided by the kitchen being established in the temple. The residence was surrounded by a wall throughout the area. There were CCTV cameras everywhere in each building. All the monks and novices were gathered in the same building. Regarding pharmacy or public health system in case of monks and novicesí sickness, there were monks to take care of them and there was shuttle bus to take them to the hospital upon receiving approval from the abbot. 2) Problems in management of 4 requisites were found that the novices did not properly maintain their clothes. There had never been a nutrition scholar to advise or train the cooks on nutritional value. Regarding residence inside the temple, trees were planted too close to the cubicle causing the branches to break into the roof. The temple area had too many dogs. Regarding pharmacy or public health system, monks who were the caretakers did not have enough knowledge in first aid and in dispensing medicine to monks and novices.  3) Guidelines for the management of 4 requisites were found that there should be a project to study and visit various temples to find comparative information and application of certain information to develop the management of 4 requisites within the temple more effectively. As a result, monks and novices were shared and distributed thoroughly, evenly and fairly. The monks and novices relied on this fair and inclusive administration to live happily, that is, they relied on these 4 suitable requisites to learn and develop themselves to reach higher levels of realization.