A Comparative Study of Buddhist Saṅgha Administrative System between Thailand and Vietnam in the Modern Time

               This qualitative research had three objectives, namely: 1) to study the Buddhist Saṅgha administrative system in Thailand in the modern time, 2) to study the Buddhist Saṅgha administrative system in Vietnam in the modern time, and 3) to compare the Buddhist Saṅgha administrative system between Thailand and Vietnam in the modern time.

              Thai Saṅgha administrative system was established very early around 13^th century under the dynasty of Sukhothai Kingdom. Vietnam Saṅgha Administrative system had been found under the reign of Tran dynasty round 13^th century.  In both two countries, at the first beginning, the Saṅgha administrative system was leaded by the King himself with the assistance of the Senior Order who was the head of the Saṅgha Affair office. By the time, with the requirement of the legal foundation as the administrative texts to approve and manage the Saṅgha administrative system in every country, there was the birth of Saṅgha Act in Thai and the Saṅgha Charter in Vietnam. Finally, by the different historical background of the establishment, the policies of the different government and the Saṅgha Act or Saṅgha administrative regulation, etc… make the differences and similarities on the Saṅgha administrative system between Thailand and Vietnam.