本文旨在探討台灣的宗教觀光及其研究的方法論與本質論,這樣的研究動機源於回顧相關文獻的過程中發現,宗教觀光的定義與概念模糊不清,再加上缺乏具體呈現其規模的資料,使得研究對象也不明確,更呈現出許多脫離宗教脈絡的分析。因此,本文藉由三個途徑著手:首先,以方法論的角度,討論不同學群對宗教觀光的研究及其限制,確認宗教觀光的宗教脈絡是研究的重要取向,以呈現觀光發展的多元性。再者,以本質論的角度,探討研究對象的具體化,針對觀光局的統計資料進行解析,試圖還原宗教觀光的規模。最後,透過長期的田野觀察,以花蓮六間廟宇在近年來的發展,進一步與宗教觀光研究中有關一致化與市場化的論述,進行分析與探討。透過本文對台灣的宗教觀光及其研究的整理與分析,期待可以使表面上紛雜與多元的宗教觀光現象,獲得更為嚴謹的學術性研究。
Religious tourism activities are multiple and frequent, but the concept and definition of religious tourism have been unclear and blur over a long period of time. Furthermore, lots of religious activities belong to the field of underground economy, so religious tourism is both out of official domination and lack of specific statistics in Taiwan. This paper attempts to explore the status of the development of religious tourism in Taiwan. Therefore, three basic ways are used to explore religious tourism in Taiwan. First, through the methodological approach, the discussion of the studies and limitations of two disciplines on religious tourism are provided. Secondly, through the Tourism Bureau's annual tourism statistics, it is to show the actual size of religious tourism. Finally, through long-term fieldwork, the observation of six temples in Hualien and the existing research results are contrasted. After clarified the subjects and approaches of religious tourism, this paper expect more strict academic research in future.