THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING A MASTER PLAN FOR REFORMING BUDDHIST AFFAIRS OF WAT PHRA THAT CHAE HAENG PHRA ARAM LUANG, NAN PROVINCE

Abstract

          This qualitative study aimed to 1) study the master plan and the principles of Buddhist affairs reform according to the resolution of the Sangha Supreme Council, 2) study previous master plan of Wat Phra That Chae Haeng Phra Alam Loung, Nan province, and 3) investigate the process of creating a master plan and the principles of reforming Buddhist affairs at Wat Phra That Chae Haeng Phra Alam Loung, Nan province. The data were collected from 25 key informants through interviews.

          The findings were as follows:

          The formulation of the Buddhist master plan in terms of Buddhist affairs consisting of 1) administration, 2) religious education, 3) educational welfare, 4) dissemination, 5) public utilities, and 6) public welfare played vital roles in 4 aspects of Buddhist reform: 1) creating Buddhist stability, 2) upgrading the internal management process, 3) developing Buddhist learning organizations, and 4) having sufficient resources to drive Buddhist affairs.

          The original master plan of Wat Phra That Chae Haeng has been developed and implemented more than 10 years based on expert analysis and criticism. It consists of 1) promoting Buddhist education, 2) promoting religious heirs, 3) preserving and restoring valuable arts and culture, and 4) preserving, restoring, and allocating areas suitable for being important Buddhist temples and improving ancient and religious sites.

          The 4 processes of formulating the master plan of Wat Phra That Chae Haeng Phra Alam Loung, Nan province were 1) meeting to review the previous master plan; 2) dividing groups to conduct  SWOT analysis; 3) cooperating with network partners and relevant parties; 4) formulating the new master plan to meet globalization changes by focusing on various development in accordance with 6 principles of Buddhist affairs reform.