臺灣本土佛教經懺僧及其演法與民俗信仰的關係：以齋天和燄口儀式為例=The Relationship between Local Taiwanese Buddhist Scripture and Litany Monks (Jingchan Seng 經懺僧), Their Method of Performance, and Folk Beliefs: Taking the Feasting the Heavens (Zhaitian 齋天) and Burning Mouth Offering (Yankou 焰口) Rituals as Examples
瑜伽教僧=Yogacara monks; 經懺僧=Scripture and litany monks; 瑜伽燄口=Yogacara burning mouth offering; 供佛齋天=Offering to the Buddha and feasting the heavens; 民俗佛教=Folk Buddhism
Jingchan seng are also known as “Yogacara Monks” (Yujia jiao seng 瑜伽教僧 ) and have the habit of displaying the title “The Court of Yogacara’s Three Secrets” (Yujian sanmi yuan 瑜伽三密院 ) at the beginning of a placard. Many jingchan seng reside at the ritual area where they specialize in providing scripture recitation in Buddhist ritual matters. Because they provide this service, the patrons of the ritual area must pay them a sum of money to sustain their livelihood. The incantation performance methods of local Taiwanese jingchan seng are primarily inherited from Buddhist networks in Fujian and combine related ritual features of folk beliefs. Their methods are more inclusive and do not exclude various deities of folk beliefs. They go to “Incense Fire Temples” (xianghuo miao 香火廟 ) to participate in sacrificial rites and can tolerate the popular use of animal sacrifice and meat as offerings, a point that is quite different from orthodox Buddhism methods; thus, to some extent they possess characteristics of Popular Buddhism (Minjian Fojiao 民間佛教 ). This paper, primarily through local Taiwanese Feasting the Heavens and Flaming Mouth rituals, explores characteristics of the intermingling of Buddhism and folk beliefs.
