Brahmavihāra 4 – Sangha Vatthu 4 Dhamma principles for inheritance Thai family business

In the book Thai Family Business Success Formula I have already given the principles of the 6C formula: Conflict among family members. It is one of the main causes of the collapse of family businesses around the world. Even if the family business has a good corporate structure (Corporate Structure), the first C, there is good allocation of benefits. (Compensation) The 1nd C has a communication process. The 2rd C (Communication) has a dispute resolution process. The 3th C (Conflict Resolution) is by providing legal documents. that has complete supervision according to the formula for success, all 4 C's, cannot prevent conflicts that arise among family members.

But the fifth formula for Thai family business success, which means generosity and kindness or (Care and Compassion), is an important principle that will be the main tool for prevention. resolve conflicts that can happen in the family and make stakeholders (Stakeholders) in family businesses, whether they are employees, partners, communities, will benefit. And it will make family members have unity and work together to make the family business prosper.

In the book Sustainable Succession Planning for Thai Family Businesses In the 1st edition, 2554, I wrote a total of 7 chapters on the subject of family business, but in the 2nd edition, 2562, Thai Family Business Success Formula. I cut out the Business Dhamma section from the book. Due to the thickness of the book, the contents of the 12 virtues and guidelines for drafting a family constitution have been included.

In the 3rd book, “Formula for Success in Thai Family Business in a World of Change” that is being prepared for the 3rd edition in 2566, I would like to bring 2 main principles of Dhamma: the 4 Brahmavihāras and Sanghawatthu 4 that I believe It can be used as a tool for managing the family business to be sustainable. I received the answer from Phra Achan Jayasaro. (Phra Dhamma Bajrayana Muni) who has answered me During the time I went to practice Dhamma with the Master. In the year 2554, it was combined to apply to the 6C formula of Thai family businesses, which is the 5th C (Care and Compassion) which is very important.

These 2 principles In addition to being able to be practiced for the unity of family members and as a tool for eliminating conflicts within the family. To enable the family business to develop sustainably from generation to generation, it will also use the 5th C principle: Care and Compassion to take care of stakeholders, communities, and society according to ESG principles as well.

Phra Achan Chayasaro He did not explain in detail the principles of Dharma practice in each section. So I tried to search for books that referred to such principles. And found a Dhamma book called "Buddhist Administration" written by Phra Ajahn Mahabunmee Malaojiro (Think Beyond Books 2553) which explains the principles of Buddhist management in an interesting way. Including studying from books “The Dhamma of Life” and “Buddhist Jurisprudence” of Somdej Phra Buddhakosajarn (Prayut Payutto) who have discussed these two principles succinctly. and easy to understand

I would like to take this opportunity to take the principles regarding the 4 Brahmavihāra and the 4 Sangha Vatthu from the above information to discuss how family business owners should be able to apply them in order for the family business to grow sustainably.

Promviharn 4

The 4 brahmavihāra are considered to be the dhamma of noble people and those with great minds. And Dhamma principles will enable those who practice them to live a noble and complete life by such Dhamma principles, including:

1. merciful (Loving Kindness) is love and the desire for everyone to experience benefits and happiness. Therefore, if family members are kind to each other and each person wishes for family members and interested parties. (Stakeholders) whether employees, business partners, and communities that do business with receive benefits, are happy, and share profits. It's not a monopoly. Disputes would not arise. Including being kind to the people involved will help the business have good results.

If family business executives create good deeds for others, stakeholders (whether employees, creditors, partners, and communities), the business can grow sustainably. Kindness is therefore an important foundation of a family. Kindness is Care and Compassion or generosity. therefore plays an important role

2. please (Compassion) is the feeling of compassion and wanting to help one out of hardship, for example if a family member or employee is having trouble. or even our business partners, both worldly, such as not having enough money Providing assistance to family members in various forms Whether it's about finances or giving knowledge Management It will surely create a good feeling for our family members or for our employees, partners and the communities in which we do business.
3. sympathetic joy (Sympathetic Joy) is happiness, joy and joy in seeing other people do well. Live well and support, that is, you should support family members. Employees who are successful in management You should be happy to praise and support. Whether it is praising or providing benefits in return from management which will make family members Employees are encouraged to perform their duties. This case may be compared with the second C, which is Compensation, through the process of allocating benefits and compensation that are fair and appropriate to family members who do good. This policy should be considered in the family constitution as well.
4. equanimity (Equanimity) is neutral trust. It is a way of looking at the truth with a mind that is even, steady, and accurate like a scale. See whether a person will receive good or bad results. appropriate for the cause that one undertakes Or is everything caused by causes and factors? Ready to judge and act according to principles Reason and precision

If the family business executive has the equanimity and fairness to family members in every matter. Whether it's a matter of benefit Or if there is a dispute, settle the dispute neutrally, that is, use the third C, which is Conflict Resolution neutrally. Not taking sides with any family member will be accepted by the family members. Or if a family member commits misconduct, there should be a warning and punishment, without helping in the wrong way. Such a mechanism may also be specified as a guideline in the family constitution.

Master Somdej Phra Buddhakosajarn (Prayut Payutto) has said that equanimity that arises from wisdom will help preserve individuals, society, and the Dhamma. The great dhamma that governs equanimity is an important one. Because if there is only kindness and compassion, there may be some family members who like to rely on others or rely on interpersonal relationships. Helping each other beyond our limits without regard to principles or legitimacy

The decision of the family business owner must therefore be guaranteed with equanimity. But there cannot be just one equanimity. (See details Buddhist Jurisprudence (2539)), an important example is If a family member breaks the law or breaks social regulations, they must not help or conceal it. But it should be allowed to depend on causes and factors.

I believe that if any family business adheres to the four Brahmavihāra principles, conflicts in various matters will be resolved. It won't happen. Will do business with love and unity. If this is the case, conflicts can be resolved with an equanimous process that is accepted by everyone. The family business will grow sustainably.

By the guidelines of the 4 Brahmavihāras, if specified in the family constitution Allowing members to practice together is truly beneficial.

Sanghawatthu 4 : Create unity Principles of assistance

Sangha Vatthu 4 is Dhamma that can be used with family members to strengthen unity. The 4 Sangha Vatthu are the Dhamma principles that hold the hearts of others. It is a form of friendship, generosity, or mutual support. It creates unity among family members and related parties such as employees, business partners, and communities. There are 4 main principles that are the principles of Sangha Vatthu.

1. eat (Giving) which means sharing, being generous to one another. If family members are generous to each other Take care of family members and related persons It will surely be something that will make everyone who runs a family business have love and unity. And it is a good response to social issues according to ESG principles in reducing inequality in society.

If we separate the principles of Sangha Vatthu regarding alms It is giving or sharing or helping. In Buddhism, alms may be divided into 3 types:

(1) Amissathan means giving material things to co-workers or giving compensation or benefits to help family members of employees.

(2) Giving alms or Dhamma offerings In giving good advice or teaching correct working methods to family members, employees, and business partners, they also gain knowledge of both worldly and religious matters.

(3) Forgiveness is forgiveness when a dispute arises in work, which is very important. Being a family member may have some mistakes. It is likely that they will forgive each other.

2. Piyawaja (Kind Speech) is speaking sweetly, cutely, popularly, and respected. Having family members speak sweetly and cutely will be able to win people's hearts. Whether it is a family member and a respected employee, which is communication or Communication each other Good communication says only good things, true things. By not speaking slanderously, telling lies, using harsh words, and including being a good listener, it is an art that will help reduce conflicts. Communication, understanding, and praising employees' family members are similar to the characteristics of Muthita. It will surely give family members encouragement to perform their duties. Employees are encouraged to perform their duties.
3. Atthachariya (Doing Good) means acting or behaving in a way that benefits others. which means Family members should benefit each other. To the public as well It is a responsibility for both the public and society. Which will bring long-term benefits, such as social and environmental issues.
4. Samānattā (Even and Equal Treatment) means always being present or being compatible. By sharing joy and suffering together Be equal and must be responsible for your own actions. It creates unity among family members as well. Even when facing problems, everyone must work together, such as in the case of a business crisis. We must help each other think and act together.

The above four principles of Dhamma Sangha Vatthu Somdej Phra Buddhakosajarn (Prayut Payutto) wrote in the book Dhamma of Life that “Help with money, help with things, help with words. Help with the labor force Help by joining together to face and solve problems.”

In planning the management of a family business, the above two principles are very important to consider. And it should be used as a guideline for training family members to have love and unity and should be set as a guideline in the family constitution as well.

Using the principles of 2 stories and 8 topics as guidelines for running a family business. In addition to making the family business passable from generation to generation It is an application of the 5th C, which is generosity and kindness (Care and Compassion). In addition to making the family business not conflict with each other. And adjusting ESG issues of family businesses can be done by using the aforementioned principles as guidelines for doing business that is responsible for family, society, and the public as well, and will be consistent with the 6th C, change (Change) in The need for family business owners to change in order to keep up with the changes in ESG trends that are taking place

I believe that many Buddhist principles can definitely be applied to managing a family business for sustainable growth. Therefore, if the family has the opportunity to practice Dhamma together or listen to Dhamma in managing the family business. And planning together to prepare a family constitution according to Buddhist principles would be good and quite beneficial.

I will try to spend time studying and researching the principles from the book Buddhadhamma of Somdej Phra Buddhakosajarn (Prayut Payutto) and the teachings of Phra Dhamma Bajrayana Muni. (Phra Achan Chayasaro) to apply as a guideline for managing family businesses to grow sustainably in this world of change in the future.

Dharma Sawadee, long live the Thai family business.