Abstract

The purposes of this research were in 3 folds: 1) to study Buddhist leadership from related Buddhist texts; 2) to study conflict management according to Buddhism concept; and 3) to study the application of Buddhist leadership to solve problems on conflict management in Thai society.

The research results showed the 3 characteristics of Buddhist leadership. They were 1) external characteristics cited as attractive physical appearance, respectful gesture, physical strength and healthiness, including persevering outlook; 2) internal characteristics consisting of being intelligent, wide spectrum of vision, skillfulness and good human relationship; 3) unique characteristics that caused reliance, confidence and trustworthiness to one’s superiors.

Concerning means to establish good leadership, the Buddhist Doctrine and virtues were applied to create leadership. The 20 Buddhist virtues were recommended: 1) the Tenfold Code of the Ruler: 2) Duties of a great ruler; 3) Supremacy; 4) a ruler’s Bases of sympathy; 5) Bases of social solidarity; 6) Sublime states of mind;                      7) Prejudice;  8) Basis for success;  9) Power; 10) Virtues of a gentleman; 11) Conditions of welfare, 12) Good company; 13) States of conciliation; 14) Noble treasures; 15) Perfections; 16) Virtues for householders; 17) Moral principles; 18) Justice; 19) Determinations; 20) Endurance and gentility. These Virtues were types in to 3 major classes : 1) Virtues for  self - mastering  namely - Five Precepts and Five Virtues, Virtues of a gentleman, Power, Prejudice, Determinations, Endurance and gentility, Moral principies, Noble treasures; 2) Virtues for people – mastering namely – Sublime states of mind, Perfactions, a ruler ’s Bases of sympathy, Bases of social solidarity, Power, Tenfold Code of the ruler, Duties of a great ruler, Virtues for householders, Supremacy, Good company, Noble treasures, Justice, Prejudice; 3) Virtues for work – mastering  namely – Bases for success, States of conciliation, Condition of welfare, Noble treasures, Good company, Justice, Power, Prejudice. The study also found that the Buddha’s doctrine, even though existed since Buddhist Era and has lasted for more that thousands years, it is still practical nowadays and can be applied as mechanism to all types of living and administration.

In this research, the study of conflict management according to Buddhism concept revealed that the 4 issues that had to be accomplished consisted of                        1) contention; 2) sub- contention; 3) legal question concerning offences and 4) legal question concerning obligations. A question studied in this research was considered as either precept source or precept itself or doctrine source called “for settling a legal question”.  They contained 7 components: 1) Verdict in the presence; 2) Verdict of innocence; 3) Verdict of past insanity; 4) Proceeding on the acknowledgement,                 5) Decision according to the majority; 6) Decision for specific depravity, and 7) a Reconciliation of both parties without need for clearing up the right and the wrong.

For the application of Buddhist leadership to solve conflict management in Thai society, the research result showed that the leadership efficiently applied consisted of a person with high capability in utilizing Buddhist doctrine for ruling people, controlling work and self control as well as controlling in administration.

The doctrine appropriate for unity establishment in society was analyzed and proposed for participatory and cooperative work. This would gear to unity and reconciliation making for any society. Ten commitments were proposed to be activated consisting of 1) Be  optimistic; 2) Good  rapport; 3) Create goodness; 4) Think of  goodness of  each others; 5) Maintain discipline; 6) To have a Brahma heart; 7) Unity  promotion;                 8) Sacrifice; 9) Misbelief  reduction; 10) Unprejudiced.