The symbolic significance and function of joss paper used in Taiwanese Taoism's passage ceremonies

• Main Authors: Tsung-wei Lai, 賴宗煒
• Other Authors: Ten-fu Hsiao
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/76188555600153986671

碩士 === 南華大學 === 宗教學研究所 === 96 === 　　The thesis aims to explore the function and intrinsic significance of the joss paper in religious rituals by broaching from Taiwan’s folklore Taoism’s passage of rites ceremonies, in how the use of joss paper focuses on the ceremonial process, the content of interacting with the deities and how it is integrated into the Taoism spells, and to examine the timing and usage of the gold and silver joss paper in related ceremonies through archives, classical epiphany and vintage publications, together with broaching from the angle of human anthropology to discern the symbolism and the transference intrinsic value and significance of the gold and silver joss paper. 　　 　　Chapter I describe the author’s research motive and research objectives, which primarily presents the author’s examination of the gold and silver joss paper in the religious symbolism quest found in Taiwan’s folklore Taoism’s passage of rites ceremonies. Chapter II provides a historical validation and exploration of the origin and evolvements of the gold and silver joss paper. Chapter III begins by describing the onset of the Han’s belief in deities and spirits, while such worships bear a close-knit, inseparable correlation to adults’ fate and safety and the anticipation of children’s safety and growth. Chapter IV provides an examination on the cause leading to the formation of barriers in passage thinking among the Han, and describe the use of joss paper corresponding to the barriers of passage in the children’s thirty-six barriers. Chapter V encompasses the author’s brief introduction to common rites performed at two major temples that hold the passage rites in Taiwan, and examines the difference between them. Chapter VI provides a process overview on the content of the religious ceremonial compendiums that the author has adopted from the passage of rites ceremonies, where the joss paper adopted in the ceremonies are sorted in an illustrated graphic format, together with explanation given to their significance, meanings and functions. Chapter VII provides a recap to the thesis, with a steadfast overview and review, and also prevents future outlook and recommendations for search domains and focus that can be emphasized in the future, which would facilitate subsequent researchers with in-depth examination and as a point of reference. 　　 　　The author reckons that as the adaptation of joss paper in Taoism’s passage ceremonies tend to fall under a symbolic significance that balance people’s internal psychology, and as long as the religious leaders provide the followers with a correct religious conception, and campaign and steer the general public to be aware of the lopsided mentality of “The more you burn, the better off you are”, there remains a rather significant cultural value and religious significance for the existence of the gold and silver joss paper, just like those described in the passage of rites rituals. And just as such gold and silver joss paper reflects a culture awareness among the Han in Taiwan brought from their hometowns, and as the particular culture withstands the test of time to be deeply ingrained into the Taiwanese society to from a religious conception and religious conduct, where the collective ethic mentality remains representative of the anticipation of all ethnic Chinese populations and an unadulterated mindset of an integrated heaven and earth, it prompts the author to reckon it as a refinement of the “Unadulterated thoughts” and a “Mythical thinking” among all ordinary people that represents the Han’s infinite spiritual yearnings for misfortune aversion and blissful blessings. We have to treasure and take good care of the religious rites.