限於田野調查所得的口述資料之性質,中國的地方儀式傳統的歷史溯源工作很難超越晚清,原因是,訪談所得之口述歷史大多只能可靠地往上溯源六、七代。加上科儀文本資料,因文化大革命的破壞,大多重抄於1978年實行的改革開放政策後。不過,雲南的阿吒力教儀式傳統可能是少數的例外之一。阿吒力教曾經和南詔國(738-902)以及大理國(937-1094、1096-1254)的皇朝信仰關係密切,留下較多的歷史資料,包括石窟、碑文、寫經等,幫助我們能將該傳統上溯到唐、宋的朝代。今天,我們在田野中所能見到的阿吒力教儀式傳統,已是一種服務民間地方社會的儀式傳統。目前,專從當代阿吒力教儀式傳統入手之研究仍不算多,本研究希冀從這方面做出貢獻。
Per oral history data collected from the field, the history of local ritual traditions in China can normally be traced to the late Qing dynasty. This is the extent of time that can be reliably orally recounted, a duration covering six to seven generations. Most if not all of the written sources on ritual traditions available in the field were reproduced after the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). This is a limitation to the study of the history of local ritual traditions. The Azhali ritual tradition may be an exception. Because of its close connection with the court of Nanzhao (738-902) and Dali (937- 1094, 1096-1254), several manuscripts and epigraphs that enable the tracing of the tradition back to the Tang and Song periods have been identified. Contemporary Azhali practices are ritual traditions serving the local society. The rituals of the Azhali tradition are largely understudied. This essay contributes to the study of Azhali ritual tradition through the use of fieldwork data.