The Role of Buddhist Monk with Community Development, Umong Sub–district, Muang District in Lamphun Province

Abstract

          The objectives of this article are to study the working problems and the roles of monks toward community development, concepts and policies of monks toward community development of Umong Sub-district, and roles of community development of monks with policies of community and local administrative organization. This is a qualitative research which collects data from interview and participation in community development of monks. The population is administrative monks from ten temples and local leaders from eleven villages, Umong Sub-district, Muang District in Lamphun Province.

          The results of this study are that at first, the working problems of monks toward community development of Umong Sub-district lack of work plans and preparation, miscommunication at work, and lack of relationship, participation, and work evaluation. In addition, the problem is concerned with different concept between temple abbots and community leaders, belief in monks, acting of monks’ roles by organization, and no proactive people. Secondly, for concepts and policies of work, monks have responsibility to play the roles toward community development but they cannot participate to plan and operate policies. All plans and policies are designed by the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand (SSCT) into eight aspects. All are also performed in annual festivals only which are not suitable for monks to administer properly. Thirdly, the monks’ roles are related to the policies of the SSCT. Some works are well completed but some are not. Due to the community and local administrative organization also have policies which are concerned with policies of the SSCT, so they work instead of monks. For this reason, monks only play the roles as participators and supporters.