The Application of Buddhist Dhamma Principles to Enhance the Roles and Duties of Subdistrict Headmen and Village Headmen in Nam Song Sub-district, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the level of roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen in Nam Song Subdistrict, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province; 2) to study the relationship between Buddhist Dhamma principles and the roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen in Nam Song Subdistrict, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province; and 3) to propose guidelines for applying Buddhist Dhamma principles to enhance the roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen in Nam Song Subdistrict, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. In the quantitative research, a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.914 was distributed to a sample of 372 people, and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient. For the qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected key informants, using descriptive content analysis. The research findings revealed that 1) the overall level of the roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen in Nam Song Subdistrict, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province based on Brahmavihara 4 was moderate ( = 3.36, S.D. = 0.70). The overall level of the roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen in Nam Song Subdistrict, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province was also moderate ( = 3.17, S.D. = 0.76); 2) The relationship between Buddhist Dhamma principles and the roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen showed a strong overall positive correlation (r = 0.712) and ; 3) guidelines for applying Buddhist Dhamma principles to enhance the roles and responsibilities of subdistrict headmen and village headmen in Nam Song Subdistrict, Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan Province found that (1) subdistrict headmen and village headmen should sincerely care for and resolve the problems of the people; (2) good relations between community leaders and the people should be promoted; (3) people should be encouraged, praised, and shown compassion; (4) cooperation and acceptance should be built among stakeholders in the community; (5) people should be cared for and assisted equally and fairly; (6) peace, order, and security should be maintained in the community; and (7) unity and cooperation should be promoted for community development.