The Problem of Entry Into the Ecclesiastical Titles and Position of the Clergy in Loei Province

Abstract

                The objectives of the research were (1) to study problems of entry to the ecclesiastical titles and the positions of the clergy in Loei province, and (2) to study recommendations on entry to the ecclesiastical titles and the positions of the clergy in Loei province. Key informants for the research were fifteen ecclesiastical administrative monks (Sanghadhikara) and officials in the ecclesiastical administrative district in Loei province, selected by the purposive sampling method. The instrument used for data collection was the open-end semi-structured  interview questionnaire.

The findings of the research were as follows:

               1. The problems of entry to the ecclesiastical titles and the positions of the clergy in Loei province  were caused from (1) legislative problems, which were resulted from stricter and inflexible regulations on the monk’s age and ordination years, and the limited amount of ecclesiastical titles; (2) personal problems, which were derived from the applicant’s absence of knowledge and experience, e.g. absence of plans in advance, so there were for him no works that had to be performed continuously for several years, and (3) structural problems, which were (3.1) the incompletely developed temple size, or different temple readiness because a lump sum of money had to be spent on temple construction and renovation and the public welfare, (3.2) a spoils system or patronage system and the state intervention  because the applicant monk had to be familiar with senior monks for their perception. In addition, there was a system of ecclesiastical titles allocation, causing the money bustle or the state intervention, and (3.3) centralization because the process of ecclesiastical titles bestowment was granted senior administrative monks too more authorities, which made the ecclesiastical dignity applicants attempted to find their way to be intimate and close to powerful senior monks through various approaches.

               2. The problems of entry to the ecclesiastical administrative positions of monks in Loei province were caused from (1) personal problems, which were (1.1) absence of knowledge bases on application approaches, and lack of future plans, as a result, there was no preparation for entry to the monastic administrative positions, and (2) the applicant’s qualifications like age, ordination years, the number of monks and novices in the temple, the academic qualifications of monks and novices in the temple, and charitable contributions; (2) structural problems, which were (2.1) a patronage system and the state intervention, led to illegal bustle for the ecclesiastical administrative ranks, and  intervention of the state or the government’s authorities; and (2.2) the beneficial loss of some local groups.The ecclesiastical administrative rank of a certain monk was even agreed by all levels of senior administrative monks, but if villagers or local people did not agree with them, there had to be a certain problem.

               3. The recommendations on entry to the ecclesiastical titles, for monks in Loei province, were (1) to develop themselves with knowledge and competence, and (2) to equip themselves with good behavior, to assist the community and to instill faithfulness and believability in the Buddhists.

               4. The recommendations on entry to the authoritative ranks, for monks in Loei province, were (1) to understand regulations and rules and to comprehend procedures and traditional customs, and (2) to sacrifice and pay attention to the monk council regularly.