當代臺灣佛教施食儀軌研究：以《大甘露門施食要集》為例=A Study on the Food Bestowal ritual in Contemporary Taiwan Buddhism: A case study of The Collection of Great-Nectar- Gate- Food Bestowal
The Collection of Great-Nectar-Gate-Food-Bestowal (大甘露門施食要集)is the food-bestowal ritual compiled by the master Shi Zhen-chang(釋真常), one of the Fayun Monastery monk, under Japanese Colonial Rule. The new ritual which integrates “Yogacara Burning-Mouth Service"（瑜伽焰口）and "Mengshan Shishi Yi "（Mengshan Food Offering Ritual/蒙山施食儀）just practice by the disciples at Pilu Monastery（毘盧寺）in Houli (Taizhong) at the initial stage. After Master Shi Zhen-chang passed away, it was revised by his disciple Liu Zhixiong (or Lay Liu Zuji) of Fahwua Monastery in Taichung City, and then verified by Master Miao-zen. Finally, the publication and circulation were sponsored by Lay Lin Jindong (Master Zongxin). Because of Liu Zhixiong's efforts to teaching and propagating, The Collection of Great-Nectar-Gate-Food-Bestowal gradually spread from Taichung City to all over temples in Taiwan. Furthermore, due to the content of this new ritual is concise, easily to learn and practice, it became the main ritual for the food offering ceremony in Buddhist temples and local shrines in Taiwan before “Yogacara Burning-Mouth Service " was popularized. This research will focus on the formation and evolution of "The Collection of Great-Nectar-Gate-Food-Bestowal", explore the inheritance and exchange of Buddhism rituals between Fujian and Taiwan, and further the ritual system inherited by Fayun Monastery. It will also elucidate the life of Master Shi Zhen-chang, the inheritance of his dharma lineages, and the comparison of the classic ritual texts based on it. In addition, there will be an introduction to the performing ritual system of Taiwan’s local The Collection of Great-Nectar-Gate-Food-Bestowal. Regarding the ritual analysis of The Collection of Great-Nectar-Gate-Food-Bestowal, it will be cross-referenced and introduce the ritual texts, ritual performances, and Sanskrit chanting methods, as well as the tantric elements, food utensils, and ritual music during the ceremony. In the part of current ritual performing and field investigations, it will be explored special ritual fields. Moreover, it discusses the difference and current situation of the belief of ghosts and gods between the Buddhism and Taiwan’s native beliefs. In this research it will elucidate the functional meaning and life caring of the Shishi (food offering) ceremony, the advantages and disadvantages of Buddhist Repentance Ceremony, the common errors in the rituals of the Shishi (food offering) ceremony, the functional classification of rituals, and the particular life caring of The Collection of Great-Nectar-Gate-Food-Bestowal. Finally, this paper also describes the comprehensive phenomena of Taiwan's native Buddhist food rituals, as well as the obstruction of fieldwork, and further clarifies the context of related issues for new research in the future.
