research article The Buddha Dharma Tegration for the Local Governance of Community Leaders in Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

The objectives of the research were 1. to study the level of integration of the Buddhist principles in local governance of the community leaders in Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province, 2. to compare the public opinions on the integration of the Buddhist principles in local governance of the community leaders in Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province classified by personal factors, and 3. to present the integration of the Buddhist principles in local governance of the community leaders in Phu Khiao District of Chaiyaphum Province by applying to  the principles of Buddhism. The research methodology was a combined method. The qualitative research collected data from 9 key informants by means of in-depth interviews and the quantitative research collected data by questionnaires from a sample of 399 people aged 18 years and over living in Phu Khiao District of Chaiyaphum Province having 99,910 people. The tools used were questionnaires and interview formats. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, hypothesis testing by T-test and F-test, and data analysis by descriptive interpretation.

Findings of the research were as follows:

1. The level of integration of the Buddhist principles in local governance of the community leaders in Phu Khiao District of Chaiyaphum Province, overall, was at a high level ( =3.96 ) when classified by aspects in order of averages from highest to lowest as follows: Rule of law ( =4.04), Principle of Transparency ( =3.98), Morality ( =3.97), Accountability ( =3.97) Participation ( =3.91) and Value ( =3.90) at a high level respectively.

2. The results of comparison of the public opinions on the integration of the Buddhist principles in local governance of the community leaders in Phu Khiao District of Chaiyaphum Province classified by personal factors found that the people with different sex, age and education had no different opinions, therefore there was no research hypothesis. While for the people with different occupations and incomes their opinions on this matter were different statistically at the 0.05 level, therefore, the research hypothesis was accepted.

3. Results of the presentation of the integration of Buddhist principles in local governance of the community leaders in Phu Khiao District of Chauyaphum Province by applying the principles of Buddhism, namely, Six Saraniyadhamma found that 1) For the Rule of Law: Leaders must have legal knowledge, follow and respect the regulations of the community, protect the rights, liberties and equality of the people. 2) For Moral Principles: Leaders should adhere to virtue, goodness, and correctness. They should be sincere to people and create good values to be adhered for operators in the organizations or members of society.3) For Principles of Transparency: Leaders must be a good example of honesty, transparency, accuracy and clarity in their work, and allow the public to participate in the audit of operations. 4) For Principles of Participation: Leaders must listen to opinions of people and provide them the opportunities to participate in learning and presenting problems or important issues. They should encourage people to take part in expressing their opinions. 5) For Principles of Responsibility: Leaders must be responsible for their work and should participate in responsibility for the results of their actions and for the obligation to society. They must dare to think, to act and to decide in performing duties. 6) For Value for Money: Leaders must recognize the limitation of resources and then manage economically. They must consider the value for the most benefit of the public and should campaign for personnel to realize the economy.