A Study of Risk Management According to Buddhism

Abstract

The thesis consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study risks towards Buddhism; 2) to study risk management according to Buddhism; and 3) to propose the guidelines of risk management for Buddhism in the present society. The study applied a documentary research method by studying from the Tipiṭaka, commentaries, and sub-commentaries. The acquired data were compiled and presented. The results of the research are as follows:

1) There are two risks towards Buddhism: 1) Internal risk refers to risks or dangers arising from the four Buddhist communities through unwholesome action and 2) External risk refers to risks or dangers arising from people of other religions, the invasion from other religions, and social factors. Both risks pose a threat to the existence of true doctrine and the Sangha.

2) Risk management according to Buddhism refers to the principles and methods laid down by the Buddha to administrate Buddhism in all aspects whether on governance or the propagation of Buddhism. On governance, risk management plays an important role in the preservation of Buddhism. The true doctrine or Saddhamma consists of three aspects: 1) Risk management through Pariyatti-saddhamma (the textual aspect of the true doctrine) in order to regulate the violation of the disciplines which will result in the well-being of the Sangha; 2) Risk management through Paṭipatti-saddhamma (the practical aspect of the true doctrine) in which the Buddha laid down Mahāpadesa (the four principal references or citations) for judging the disciplines when there is a problem of Saddhammapaṭirūpaka (false doctrine) and for developing the four Buddhist communities who will propagate the Buddhist teachings by training themselves in order to have true wisdom. This will also result in the increasing faith of the people.

            3) The guidelines of risk management for Buddhism in the present society consist of 3 aspects as follows: 1) Risk management according to the disciplines of the Sangha by adhering to the disciplines as the highest principles and giving authority to the Sangha as a manager in both the promotion of learning, the personnel development, and problem-solving that arises with the Sangha. In this regard, there is also an integration or application of the modern sciences, universal and local wisdom in order to lead to the goals of maintaining the disciplines, propagating Buddhism as well as developing personnel and society; 2) Risk management on the administration of the Sangha which is to develop the work of the Sangha that can be implemented directly such as giving advice on the mental aspect and being an advisor on various problems in life. In this regard, monks can behave themselves as an example in the following six aspects which are governance, religious education, education welfare, propagation, monastic compound construction, and public welfare. This is the basic work operation based on community participation, namely, temple relies on community and community relies on temple which will lead to prosperity according to Buddhism; and 3) The guidelines of risk management in the area of the Buddhist organization network by adjusting and applying the Buddhadhamma with the contexts of the community area and local culture, planning with the community, public sector, and private sector in order to suit the community area and according to Buddhism. This can be implemented by applying the mechanism of coordination, communication, monitoring, evaluation, and joint activities, including the application of Buddhadhamma in working such as Aparihāniyadhamma (seven conditions of welfare) for building stability and preventing the organization from decline, Ariyasacca (the four noble truths) for leading to the real goal achievement in working.