試探臺灣日治時期之「宗教批判」－以曾景來為例的審視與反思

批判是為了追求進步，宗教的批判亦復如是。在日治時期的臺灣亦有「宗教批判」，進而促成「現代化」理想的實現，曾景來是其中的代表。曾景來深受阿含經教影響，以佛陀之「人間覺者」為中心，一方面批判傳統佛教諸多流弊，另一方面也批判臺灣宗教的迷信與陋習。從曾景來「宗教批判」的背後，可看出佛教改革者的共同理想（如與印順法師之間）；只不過曾景來配合官方統治立場的「宗教批判」，亦使得「現代化」成為「皇民化」的工具，直接或間接弱化了佛教及宗教改革的確當性，改革不免成為政治的附庸。然而考量到彼時特殊的時代背景，曾景來或有其身份認同上的為難處境，也應以同情的理解來看待這一段歷史。

關鍵字

曾景來；宗教批判；印順法師；佛教現代化；皇民化

並列摘要

Criticism is made in the pursuit of progress; religious criticism is no different. During the Japanese colonial age, Taiwanese religion was also the object of criticism for the purpose of ＂modernization.＂ Zeng Jing-lai was one of the representatives of this movement. Zeng Jing-lai, who was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Āgamas, emphasized that the Buddha was an ＂Enlightened One in the human world＂. He criticized both the many malpractices of traditional Buddhism and the superstitions of Taiwanese folk religion. Behind Zeng Jing-lai's ＂religious criticism＂, we could see the common ideals of other modern Buddhist reformers (such as that of Master Yinshun). However, Zeng Jing-lai's ＂religious criticism＂, following the official position, viewed ＂modernization＂ as a process of ＂Japanization＂ (becoming part of the empire), directly or indirectly compromising his ideals of Buddhist and religious reform, subordinating them to political considerations. But considering the special historical context, Zeng Jing-lai may have experienced difficulties regarding his own identity. Thus, it would be necessary to regard this moment in history with a sympathetic understanding.