Governance of a Wat

[sol37]

Hello, I'm new and happy to be here. I have a question concerning governance of a Wat. My goal is to assist a Wat Lao in having a democratic rule that respects Theravadan tradition as much as possible.

My question is, who has the authority to invite or accept a new monk, the community at large, a board of directors, or the head monk at the Wat?

[David N. Snyder]

What country is this temple located in?

I believe it depends on how the by-laws were written for the organization, but I imagine in most cases it would be the head monk and/or Board of Directors. The community could have some input too, but the final decision would be by the Directors, in most instances.

[sol37]

Thank you for your response. The Wat is located in the U.S. and is going through a difficult transition. I will get more input from members and directors before finishing up the bylaws and submitting them to the board.

[James the Giant]

My local wat recently had a power struggle, and the governance went from 95% Board, to 100% Head Monk. This made the both laypeople and monks happy. Everyone was happy except the board members, who resigned.
Now there's a new board to advise the Ajahn, who makes the final decisions. Now it seems to work well.

Here's a model which is more equal:
This is the Charter of Santi Forest Monastery near Sydney.
http://santifm.org/santi/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sfmi-constitution-10.08.pdf
A lot of thought has gone into the writing of this, so it's a good read.
Basically, a Spiritual Director is nominated by the Sangha, then further accepted by the Board.
If the board rejects the Spritual Director, the matter goes back to the Sangha.
If there is a deadlock, the matter is referred to an external body for mediation.
The board is elected by a vote of the members of the wat association.
The Spiritual Director has power of veto.

[Cittasanto]

You may wish to talk to other Wat's in the US.
there are other considerations (such as the vinaya) which you may need help with.

[sol37]

Good and useful information. I am grateful.

[sol37]

Another question: who sets policy regarding the meh-tze, the nuns who live on temple property? Is it only the abbot, or the board of directors, or both? The policy involves their right --or conditions under which they leave the temple grounds (in their own privately owned mobile home) for more than a day, for extended periods such as three months to study dhamma elsewhere, or simply to visit other temples, in all cases using their own money. I would assume since their own money is involved, this is not a matter for directors to be concerned with. Is there a theravadan tradition regarding this matter?