桃園縣寺廟發展的研究

A Study on the Development of Temples in Tao-yuan

王美芳(Mei-Fang Wang)

《私立中國文化大學地學研究所研究報告》 6期 (1993/03) Pp. 55-106

https://doi.org/10.7110/SR.199303.0055

並列摘要

In the interaction between man and his geographic environment, what is the role a Buddistic temple plays? How does man act in the interaction? These are thequestions that interest the author to carry out this study.
The purpose of the study aims to trace the historical development of the Buddistic temples in the entire Taoyuan County by dividing the development into three periods, namely: the Manchu period, the period of the Japanese Occupation and the period since the Restoration of Taiwan in 1945, and to describe and analyze the numbers of temples, motives of people who built the temples, spatial distibution of the temples, spheres of worship, construction of the temples, worship activities, temple organization, and functions of the temples during each of the three periods.
The number of temples was calculated for each period mainly according togovernmental published materials. Based on historical documents, questionnaire surveys, and field observations, the dates of the building of all temples wereestablished and subsequently the origin and spread of temples were discussed. The belief of members of the temples and their religious activities were final1ydescribed and analyzed.
The increase rate of temples in Taoyuan County during the Manchu period was rather slow while that of the period since the Restoration was very fast. The motives of people who built these temples during the Manchu period were for the protection of themselves from natural and social hazards and for good harvest of crops for the local areas. The motives during the latter two periods were differentas local social conditions had changed. Most templeswere located in the coastal areas and at important land or water transportationpoints in early timeswhile in the latter periods at important highway orrailroad locations.
The site, orientation, construction among other aspects of almost all the temples were according to the Chinese Feng Shui(風水) concept. The architecture style of most temples in Taoyuan County was South Chinese origin. The interaction relationships between and among the members of a temple can be observed from the organization, management, worship, and function of the temple. Most temples were wel1 organized and managed. But a few were not and therefore they had fewer members. worship activities changed with different social conditions through the time. To a certain degree, the existence of temples did contribute to the public interests and welfare. In the future, it should be able to contribute more to the society in educating the public to maintain a higher moral standards.
In sum, this study provides a good general foundation for further, deeper studies on the development of temples in Taoyuan County.