BUDDHIST MANAGEMENT AND TEMPLE ACCOUNTING : A BUDDHIST ACCOUNTING FRAMEWORK FOR ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

In Buddhism, temples are recognized as legal entities under the law. Therefore, the operations and assets of such legal entities must be governed responsibly. The abbot is responsible for overseeing and appointing the temple steward or the person in charge of managing the temple’s benefits to keep records of the temple’s income and expenses. At the end of each calendar year, accounts of income, expenses, and balances must be prepared. The abbot must supervise and ensure that these processes are conducted properly and accurately. However, recurring problems include the lack of a standardized and clear accounting system, insufficient knowledge of accounting and management among monks, a shortage of qualified support personnel, and limited participation of laypeople in auditing. These factors highlight the need to apply the principles of “Buddhist Accounting” to assist in management. This involves developing the morality and capabilities of personnel, fostering cooperation and a positive working atmosphere, and cultivating good attitudes towards work. Emphasis is placed on love for the work, diligence, careful attention, and using wisdom to analyze tasks thoroughly in order to maintain the quality and transparency of accounting data. Management should be balanced in terms of morality and efficiency by integrating the threefold principles of Buddhism to help create a systematic, ethical, transparent, and auditable accounting system for temples. This is a critical factor for long-term sustainability. Therefore, the aforementioned approach leads to the outcome of Buddhist accounting: sustainable accounting work that builds trust within the community, enhances the credibility of the temple, and supports effective and equitable resource management.