本文之研究目的，主要從全人觀點，探討樂生療養院痲瘋病患的佛教信仰者之生病經驗，並且在難忍、難熬的漫長歲月中是如何與病共處與調適？進而探討如何藉著佛教信仰的力量找到生命的意義與價值？而在異觀的生活世界中繼續存活下來。 研究者採用詮釋現象學方法做為研究取向，並以此做為研究構想及資料分析的理論指引。本文主要進行分析三位研究參與者，其坎坷、悲苦的生命經驗之述說，讓存在主體經驗背後潛藏的生命本質現象得以現身。具體的研究發現有兩大範疇：1.痲瘋病人生病經驗的本質特徵與意義脈絡；2.痲瘋病人信仰經驗的本質特徵與意義脈絡。在第一個範疇中，研究描寫詮釋了： (1)痲瘋病人對殘軀身體的疼痛知覺經驗；(2)在此存在處境下心理與靈性的悲痛；(3)在疾病污名化與社會隔離之下的無根處境。在第二個範疇中，則研究描寫詮釋了：(1) 痲瘋病人的宗教皈依經驗與修行方式；(2)對疾病自我的轉化調適過程；(3)佛教信仰內容對此生命態度轉化的影響。 本研究結果對於痲瘋病人的生病世界，提供深入了解的基礎。因為屬於生病主體經驗研究的一環，並且因為痲瘋疾病的特殊性，可以與其他生病經驗的研究文獻對話，又也可以對生病陪伴者提供更深入的思考與行動方針，並且提供醫療相關人員一個觀看病人全人診治嶄新的健康視野，進而引發社會大眾的關注「尊重生命與關懷生命」。另外，本研究結果經由佛教信仰經驗之探討，進而鼓勵遭逢挫折或重症者或慢性病的朋友，勇敢、堅強活下去，生命就會有希望，並且可以試圖藉由佛教信仰的力量，心寬、放下，身病心不病，活出有意義的人生。 This essay attempts to research the illness experience of the Buddha faithful lepers in the Lo-Sheng Sanatorium from the viewpoint of holistic human. How do they deal with the illness and adjust themselves in the unbearable long years ? Furthermore, this essay wants to probe how a leper finds the meaning and the value of life by means of the strength in believing Buddhism, and survives in a world of different viewpoint. Hermeneutic phenomenology is adapted as a research direction. Based on this as a theoretical guide , the research structure is built, and the information is analyzed. This essay proceeds an analysis on 3 lepers who recount their frustrated and miserable life experiences, and reveals the true nature (the quality) of the life which exists behind the subjective experience. The concrete research has a finding on two major ranges: 1. The character and meaning of the leper’s illness experience 2. The character and the meaning of leper’s religious belief In the 1st range the research makes a depiction and an interpretation: (1) Leper’s perception of pain pexperience to the incomplete body , (2) the mental and the spiritual grief under such situation, (3) the rootless sense under a humiliated disease stigma and social quarantine. In the 2nd range, the research makes a depiction and an interpretation: (1) Leper’s religious converting experience and his practice, (2) the process of self-transformation and self-adaption to the disease, (3)Believing in the contents of Buddhism changes the attitude toward this life. The finding of this research provides us with a foundation of deep understanding on the illness world of the lepers. Because it is of one link of illness subjective experience, the characters of the leprosy can be compared with the research documents of other illness experiences, and provide the patient companions with contemplating and action guide. Besides, the understanding on leprosy provides the medical members with a brand new eyesight when they give a holistic treatment to the patients. Furthermore, the understanding will catch the attention of the social people on respecting and caring life. Finally, this research through the probe of Buddhism religion and experience can encourage the frustrated people and the friends who suffer serious diseases or chronic diseases to live bravely and resolutely.Thus, the life has a hope. They may try to get a peaceful mind, and lay down the heart burden by means of the force of believing Buddhism. The body falls ill, but the mind is perfect. Lead a meaningful life.
