Chinese Buddhism at the Crossroads in Modern Taiwan

站在十字路口的當代台灣佛教

王榮昌(Jung-Chang Wang)

《國際文化研究》 4卷2期 (2008/12) Pp. 103-116

https://doi.org/10.29960/SIC.200812.0005

摘要

本研究主要探討傳統中國佛教新的發展。自從佛教抵達中國之後，持續不斷改革與重新界定，並以不同方式在大眾宗教之間生存下來。在近代中國佛教歷史中，寺院佛教打坐誦經似乎成為主流傳統。1949年之後，台灣佛教運動開啟新時代，這個對佛教新的認識吸引許多支持者跟隨。為了有效吸引新會員與獲得台灣大眾認同，佛教新運動運用不同行政與組織理論與大眾媒體策略。教導則集中在六度婆羅蜜「布施」的實踐上，並且將之等同於佛教徒行菩薩道的修行。這種作法非常接近日本新興宗教運動，有相類似的模式，例如組織結構，佛教教義新的詮釋，不同會員身份，自我修行與責任的強調，與家庭與孝道的教導等。這些特點使台灣佛教運動如同面臨與傳統中國佛教作出區隔的十字路口上。

關鍵字

台灣佛教 ； 中國佛教 ； 新興宗教 ； 布施

並列摘要

This paper focuses on the new developments of traditional Buddhism itself. Since its arrival in China, Buddhism has undergone continual reform and redefinition and has survived amongst popular religions in the form of various traditions in different ways. The understanding of such Buddhism depended on the tradition that appealed to the majority people in each community in each time. In recent Chinese Buddhist history, monastic Buddhism-the practice of meditation and chanting sutras-seems to become the dominant tradition. However, it was after the civil war in mainland China in 1949 that the Buddhist movement in Taiwan started a new epoch, and this brought a new understanding of Buddhism attracting many supporters. In order to recruit new members effectively and win over the Taiwanese public, this new movement has applied and utilized different administrative and organizational theories, and mass media strategies. Its teaching has focused on the practice of ”Giving”, the first Perfection of the Six Perfections, and identified with it the practice of the bodhisattva path. It is very close to Japanese new religious movement. Similar patterns emerge such as the organizational structure, the appropriation of Buddhist doctrine, the membership categories, the importance of self-cultivation and responsibility, and the teachings on family and filial piety. These themes in Japanese new religious movements which are the main element to distinguish the Buddhism movement in Taiwan from traditional Chinese Buddhism.