Leadership Based on Theravada Buddhist Philosophy

Abstract

          This research article serves three proposes which are 1) To study the leadership concepts found in
the Sutra 2) To study the examples of leaders, according to the principles found in the Sutra 3) To apply
this research for Thai society. This research is qualitative analysis involving in the study of relevant
information from books and research papers, both inside and outside the country.
          The research results showed that a leader, according to the principles found in the Sutra, is a leader
as a virtuous person. Such leaders are born from perfections and virtues. The example of leaders, according to the principles found in the Sutra, comes from the Lord Buddha which are the physical personality, the style of speech and the pure heart. Such characteristics are caused by refining oneself to rejecting unwanted behaviors such as Karma Kilasa 4 and so on, and to developing desirable behavior in 4 aspects. These 4 aspects consist 1) physical and verbal personality types 2) knowledges and ideas coming from education and learning in order to understand oneself, others, communities, and the environment around them 3) virtues and the 10 perfection. 4) In terms of organization management and social relations. Application to Thai society, with the best of all approaches being adapted, one interesting way is creating the leadership training courses, according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy, by integrating with the good parts of international management. This may lead to new innovations if knowing how to apply it to the modern era by paying attention to the technology of the digital age. By doing this, we will be able to create a model for the Buddhist leadership curriculum to improve the quality of leader's life. With the introduction of the principles for the leaders to be used in administrative organizations, there is a solution to administrative problems by using the teachings of the Lord Buddha to help solve problems in the minds of people by focusing on the development of the individual Rather than building systems. This should lead the Buddhist dharma section for leaders to apply in administrative organizations. It should also solve administrative problems by using the teachings of the Lord Buddha to correct the minds of people, which emphasizes the development of individuals rather than systems. As for the existing system, it should be adjusted following the era, in order to facilitate the development of working life in both public and private organizations.