台灣佛教網站之社會網絡與呈現初探

The Social Network Analysis of Taiwanese Buddhism Web

近年來隨著網際網路人口的快速增長，全球宗教相關的網路活動愈來愈風行。在台灣宗教命理相關網站也十分流行。本研究試圖了解台灣社會網路宗教的實際運作情形，探討網路宗教的現況與行為模式，以社會網絡分析（Social Network Analysis）技巧與衡量指標建構一個實證架構，分別以佛教網站的能見度及活躍度對應網路指標的可達性（reachability）、點度中心度（degree centrality）與居間性（betweenness）分析其網絡結構，研究結果發現國內佛教網站組織規模愈大者，傾向單方向的訊息傳遞。組織規模愈小者，為了吸引潛在信徒，法師往往親自和信徒互動，從網站連結。沒有實體廟的網站則跨宗派提供各種著名佛教網站的連結與資訊，還有許多免費服務與下載，增加網站功能性與曝光率。本研究結果將有助於增進國內外學界與宗教界對於網路宗教研究課題之了解。

With the rapid growth of online users, the on-line religious activities have become a popular Internet application around the world. In Taiwan, on-line religion has become a very popular phenomenon. The purpose of this research aims to improve understanding of the nature of online religion by examining the religious websites and religious web activities, based on the theory of the Social Network Analysis. Viability attribute is match up to reachable indicator, activeness is match up to degree centrality and betweenness. Beginning with an overview of the widespread use of the Internet in Taiwan and its use in religion, this research will examine the religious websites’ presentation and contents that promote the religious use of the Internet in Taiwan.