臺灣宗教放生之類型與變遷

The Religious Animal Release's Types and Change in Taiwan

放生是臺灣社會非常普遍的宗教行為，其觀念來自不殺生、護生與慈悲，本是一項值得鼓勵的宗教行為，但是近年來隨著生態保育觀念的倡導，面臨了許多社會批評，尤其是新興佛教團體以集團化的放生模式崛起於宗教市場之後，反放生論述不僅來自環保團體，一些佛教法師對此現象亦加以批判，可見放生不僅在社會上引起爭議，在宗教團體裡也存在不同的意見。然而，放生並非佛教專屬宗教活動，許多民間信仰、鸞堂團體亦經常舉辦放生活動，他們的放生理念及實際放生活動和佛教團體有所差異。本研究在宗教社會學的層次上，除了瞭解宗教經典裡有關放生的教義來源之外，亦從實際田野資料，歸納出目前臺灣五種類型的放生行為，以及這些類型的放生團體在面對反放生論述時，其在宗教理念上與實際放生作為上又是如何因應？

Animal release, which results from the concept of not killing precept, protecting life and mercy, is a common religious behavior in Taiwan society. Though originally praiseworthy, this religious behavior confronts criticism from the society, especially after its commercialization collectivity by some Buddhist group. Not only does the discourse against animal release come from the environment protection organizations. but some Buddhist monks also condemn this phenomenon. It is manifested that animal release provokes controversies in society, and different viewpoints exist in religious organizations. However, animal release is not an exclusive religious activity for Buddhist religious body. Many folk religious temples and Spirit-writing cults hold animal release activity as well. There are some discrepancies in ideas and activities of animal release between them and Buddhist organizations. In addition to understanding the doctrines related to animal release, this research identifies five types of animal release behaviors now in Taiwan depending on the practical fieldworks, and how the confraternities of animal release react to the opposing discourses on their doctrines and actual activities of animal release.