The Strategic Management of Wat Thakhanun in accordance with the Sangha Affair Administration with the Technique of SWOT Analysis

Abstract

The strategic management of Wat Thakhanun has been performed by the Six Concepts of Sangha Affair Administration, namely 1) administration; 2) the religious education; 3) Dhamma propagation; 4) public utility; 5) educational welfare; and 6) public welfare. These are done based on SWOT Analysis which is strengths (S) and weaknesses (W), both are internal factor analysis of the organization, and opportunities (O) and threats (T), both are external factor. The results of the study reveal that the SWOT Analysis refers to theory of situation analysis. Wat Thakhanun is performed by this theory which is found many factors, both of internal and external and then synthesizes them to the Six Concepts of Sangha Affair Administration. Each concept of such Sangha Affair Administration is formed the strategic management in the followings: 1) administration: it consists of decentralization, support for new personnel placement, and assignment of the work for responsibility; 2) the religious education: it consists of education for everyone, all monastics have to study in order to develop themselves, people, and work;’ 3) Dhamma propagation: it consists of the Buddha’s teachings in every methods, times, and opportunities; 4) public utility: it consists of preserving the old things, creating new items, do not abandoning Thai identity, and being concordant with environment; 5) educational welfare: it consists of the concept of constructing a monastery to create people and then people build the nation; and 6) public welfare: it consists of a return of profits to society and provision of relief without discrimination. These strategies of Wat Thakhanun are conducted as the new body of knowledge which is done based on analytical studying the situation of monastery in the pass until now. If it is synthesized to the Buddhist principles, it will find that the internal factors (Strengths and Weaknesses) are related to Yonisomanasikara (Critical Thinking) and external factors (Opportunities and Threats) are related to Paratoghasa (Another’s Utterance).