Religious Property Management of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Office of Buddhism based on Iddhipadadhamma

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the religious property management of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Office of Buddhism; 2) to analyze the relationship between Iddhipadadhamma and the religious property management of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Office of Buddhism; and 3) to propose guidelines for the religious property management of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Office of Buddhism based on Iddhipadadhamma. This was a mixed-methods research. Quantitative research was conducted using a target population of 190 tenants of land, buildings, and abandoned temples in Nakhon Sawan province. Statistical analysis included mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Qualitative research involved in-depth interviews with 15 key informants. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods. The research findings revealed that 1) the overall management of religious property in relation to the Iddhipadadhamma was at a high level. Considering each aspect, the mean scores, from highest to lowest, were: Chanda (satisfaction) (µ = 4.10, σ = 0.30), followed by Vimangsa (reasoning and deliberation in management) (µ = 3.97, σ = 0.44), Viriya (effort) (µ = 3.96, σ = 0.38), and the aspect with the lowest mean score was Citta (concentration and attentiveness) (µ = 3.94, σ = 0.43); 2) there was a very high correlation (r = 0.80) between the management of religious property and  Iddhipadadhamma, statistically significant at the .01 level; 3) a guideline for applying Iddhipadadhamma to the management of religious property at the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Buddhist Office should include personnel restructuring, establish concrete policies, allocate personnel who were willing to perform the duties, ensure the budget being adequately prepared according to the situation, and provide verifiable reporting of results.