Buddhist Methods for Educational Management of Monks in the Digital Era

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) examine the current state of educational management for Buddhist monks in the context of the digital era; 2) analyze Buddhist principles that can be appropriately applied in response to technological changes; and 3) propose guidelines for developing a Buddhist-oriented educational management model for monks in Kanthararom District, Sisaket Province. This study employed a quantitative research design. The population consisted of 110 monks and novice monks in the study area, while the sample comprised 100 participants selected through purposive sampling. The research instrument was a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Its content validity was examined by three experts, yielding Indexes of Item-Objective Congruence ranging from 0.67 to 1.00, while the reliability coefficient was 0.89. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and hypothesis testing.

The findings revealed that: 1) the overall state of educational management for monks in the digital era was at a high level (=4.12, S.D.=0.71). The highest-rated issue was the need for further development in the use of technology within monastic schools, whereas the provision of digital resources and personnel’s digital competencies remained at a moderate level; 2) the overall understanding and application of Buddhist principles in educational management were at the highest level (=4.45, S.D.=0.62). The Four Sublime States of Mind (Brahmavihāra) received the highest mean score, followed by the application of Buddhist principles to promote transparency and sustainability and the application of the Four Bases of Accomplishment (Iddhipāda); and 3) the appropriate development guidelines included the adequate provision of digital resources and infrastructure, the enhancement of digital competencies among administrators and personnel, the integration of Buddhist principles with technology in administration and teaching, and the development of transparent and accountable information systems consistent with Buddhist monastic discipline. These guidelines can contribute to improving the efficiency and sustainability of monastic education in the digital era.