開台澎湖天后宮的發展歷史與獨特慶典之研究

媽祖是中國沿海各省居民主要的宗教信仰對象之一，隨著人口的遷徙和華僑的外移，自宋、元、明、清乃至今日，媽祖信仰不斷的傳播和擴展，已遍及海內外各地。台灣的媽祖信仰是在明清之際由大陸移民渡海來台時引進。四百多年前，先民們從大陸沿海移民台灣，為祈求航海平安、謀生順利，隨身帶著媽祖的香火，提供心靈上的慰藉。由於媽祖神力庇佑、靈驗無比，全台灣各地信眾紛紛建廟奉祀，媽祖信仰於是遍及台灣各個角落，成為台灣民間最大的宗教信仰。在台灣歷史的發展過程中，媽祖信仰也是構成台灣文化傳統的重要支柱。目前全台灣大大小小的媽祖宮廟合計超過二千座，幾乎每個鄉鎮都建有媽祖廟，而且全台灣的媽祖信徒多達一千四百萬人，占台灣人口總數的61%之多。台灣主要的媽祖宮廟都是各個地方的政經活動中心，地方士紳積極參與媽祖宮廟事務，將信眾損獻給餘的香油錢回饋鄉里，從事社會公益，慈善事業。信眾透過對媽祖的虔誠信仰，將媽祖慈悲為懷、救苦救難的無私無我精神發揚光大，也反映出信眾對鄉土的認同與關懷。開台澎湖天后宮是全台灣歷史最悠久的媽祖廟，最早可追溯到無論是元朝或稍晚的明朝，距今都已超過四百年以上。開台澎湖天后宮亦是台灣少見的金面媽祖，乃清康熙皇帝冊封為天后之尊榮。再者，開台澎湖天后宮出土的「沈有容諭退紅毛番韋麻郎等」石碑是台灣出土最早的一方石碑。開台澎湖天后宮是全台灣獨創媽在且出巡海域進境活動與元宵節乞龜的媽祖廟，也是全台灣首創與海峽對岸進行「宗教直航」會香的媽祖廟。凡此種種歷史軌跡都彰顯開台澎湖天后宮的歷史地位與宗教內涵。

關鍵字

天后宮；澎湖；媽祖；信仰；歷史

並列摘要

Matsu has been one of the major religious belief in Chinese coastal provinces. Due to population reallocation both inside and outside China, the belief of Matsu has been continuously spread out since Soong dynasty The belief of Matsu in Taiwan was introduced by Chinese immigrants during the era of late Ming dynasty and early Ching dynasty More than 400 years ago, those Chinese immigrants brought along Matsu statutes in order to pray for safe journey in the sea and good life in the new land. Because of Matsu's efficacious blessing, her believers all over Taiwan started to build Matsu temples consecutively. Therefore, the belief of Matsu has become the largest civil religion in Taiwan. In addition, the belief of Matsu has played one of the main roles in Taiwan's traditional culture. There are more than 2,000 Matsu temples all over Taiwan, and about at least one Matsu temple in each town of Taiwan. 61% of Taiwan's population believes in Matsu. Every Matsu temple is located at the center of politics and economics in different areas of Taiwan. Through the hard work of local elites, most donations to Matsu temples are usually transferred to engage in social charities, in order to reflect her temperament of benevolence and altruism. Peng-Hu Mastu Temple is the oldest Matsu temple in Taiwan, as early as Yuan Dynasty or Ming Dynasty with a history of at least 400 years. This Temple is also one of the few temples with golden-face Matsu in Taiwan, conferred by King Kang-Shi of Ching Dynasty. In addition, the oldest monument in Taiwan was found in Peng-Hu Mastu Temple. This Temple has created Matsu's sea patrol around Taiwan and ”Turtle-Begging” on Lantern Festival. It also started the ”direct sail” of religion from Taiwan to Mainland. All those historical tracks described above have demonstrated the status arid context of Peng-Hu Mastu Temple.