澎湖講美龍德宮的新世代小法培育初探

A Preliminary Exploration of the Training of the New Generation of Young Ritual Practitioners (Xiao Fa) at Jiangmei Longde Temple, Penghu

本研究以澎湖講美龍德宮小法培訓現況為探討課題，2023年7月起利用每週3天晚間2小時的教學時間進行實地觀察研究與深度訪談，主要欲自案例中探究當今小法訓練的帶領模式，以及參與者本身的學習動機與家長願意送孩子到廟學小法的原因等，進一步地瞭解當前小法培育教學的實踐演變。本次招訓計有7位儲備小法成員，年齡層分布自小學二年級至高中三年級，分別來自不同學校，其中有兩對兄弟檔。
初步研究結果顯示，當今小法訓練須順應現代社會脈絡，以多元化的教學方式，讓參加者在學習中獲得認同感與歸屬感。法師長一人身兼多職，除了是授課的老師，有時亦充當父職，規劃出遊行程與用餐活動。對孩子來說，或有興趣學小法，或受家人影響，是相互學習成長與交友的難得機會。訓練方式有別於制式的單向授課，多採取動態的操練設計，使課程內容更加活潑。家長方面，認為學小法是一件為神明服務的事情，孩子可以受到神明的庇護。外部資源方面，廟方同時申請澎湖縣政府文化局小法培育補助計畫，並將部分成果呈現於相關活動的展示場合。

This study examined the current training of young ritual practitioners (xiao fa) at Jiangmei Longde Temple in Penghu. Beginning in July 2023, the research employed in-situ observation and in-depth interviews during weekly two-hour evening sessions, conducted three days per week. The present study aimed to explore the instructional approaches used in contemporary training, the participants’learning motivations, and parents’reasons for enrolling their children, thereby providing insight into the evolving practices of young xiao fa cultivation. The 2023 recruitment enrolled seven reserve xiao fa candidates, ranging in age from second-grade elementary to third-grade high school students and attending different schools; two pairs of participants were brothers.
Preliminary findings suggest that contemporary xiao fa training must respond to modern social contexts by adopting diverse teaching methods that foster participants’sense of recognition and belonging. The head ritual master assumes multiple roles, acting not only as an instructor but also at times as a parental figure, planning excursions and meal activities. For the children, participation—whether driven by personal interest or family influence—provides a rare opportunity for mutual learning, personal growth, and making friends. In terms of training methods, unlike conventional one-way instruction, the actual teaching primarily adopts dynamic practice-based designs, making the curriculum livelier and more engaging. Parents generally view xiao fa training as service to the deity, offering their children divine protection. The temple also incorporates external support, having successfully secured a training subsidy from the Penghu County Cultural Affairs Bureau and presenting program outcomes at related events.