明末清初觀音信仰與求子故事的書寫

Hoping for a Son: Guan-yin Folk Belief and Stories on Reproduction in the Late Ming and Early Qing

長久以來，中國社會流傳諸多求子資訊提供求子者參考與試驗。不過，這些求子資訊並非一成不變，隨著不同時代環境的遷移，皆能改變原本的求子資訊內容。例如在晚明時期，由於物質與技術的發展，以及社會風氣變異等影響下，改變了某些舊有的求子資訊內容。對此，本文分析明清時期以求子為主題的觀音感應故事，討論晚明至清初社會上求子資訊在傳遞過程中所出現的變化。本文分為三部分進行，首先是鬼子母神與觀音菩薩作為求子神祇的角色變化，其次是在印刷技術的發展下，經文的助刊與布施也成為求子手段，最後是以胞衣的服用為例，探討女尼在民間求子資訊的傳播過程中的角色。 During the late Ming and early Qing, information on reproduction was transformed with improvements in both technology and production as well as changes in social customs. In order to discuss the phenomenon, this article analyzes folk stories about Guan-yin. The first section of the paper addresses the means by which Guan-yin replaced Hariti as a popular fertility goddess. The second section focuses on the fact that barren parents were encouraged to donate money to publish and promulgate sutras, so that they would be rewarded with a son. The final section of the paper traces the role of nuns in the dissemination process of information on reproduction, using the practice of consuming afterbirth as the focal point for discussion.

During the late Ming and early Qing, information on reproduction was transformed with improvements in both technology and production as well as changes in social customs. In order to discuss the phenomenon, this article analyzes folk stories about Guan-yin. The first section of the paper addresses the means by which Guan-yin replaced Hariti as a popular fertility goddess. The second section focuses on the fact that barren parents were encouraged to donate money to publish and promulgate sutras, so that they would be rewarded with a son. The final section of the paper traces the role of nuns in the dissemination process of information on reproduction, using the practice of consuming afterbirth as the focal point for discussion.