MODERN SANGHA MANAGEMENT APPROACHES FOR ENHANCING THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF BUDDHISM IN THE SOUTHERN BORDER PROVINCES OF THAILAND

Abstract

This article aimed to: (1) examine the problems and limitations of Buddhist Sangha administration in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand; and (2) synthesise a four-dimensional Sangha reform model appropriate for a multicultural social context. The findings revealed that the major challenges affecting Sangha administration included: (1) declining public confidence in Buddhism and demographic changes, resulting in a shortage of new generations of Buddhist successors; (2) structural problems and a lack of administrative unity; and (3) limitations in proactive public engagement and adherence to monastic discipline, which have affected the role of monks as spiritual leaders.

The proposed modern Sangha administration framework consists of four key dimensions: (1) applying Buddhist good governance principles to Sangha administration; (2) establishing integrated cooperation mechanisms among the government sector, the Sangha, and communities; (3) developing proactive organisational communication systems to enhance the public image of Buddhism; and (4) strengthening Buddhist leadership competencies among Sangha administrators to enable them to perform their duties effectively within a multicultural society. This proposed administrative framework can be applied in practice by government agencies and monastic institutions to promote proactive Buddhist development, for example, developing training programmes for Sangha administrators. Furthermore, this framework can serve as a neutral platform to reduce mutual distrust and promote collaborative public-interest activities among diverse religious groups, ultimately fostering sustainable coexistence amid cultural diversity in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand.