This paper takes a fresh look at the global spread of the Chinese–Taiwanese new religious movement Yiguandao (一貫道; the emic transcription is “I-Kuan Tao”) by directing attention to the concrete places where transnational connections and interactions actually transpire, i.e., temples, shrines, and other sites of worship. Emically known as “Buddha halls” (fotang 佛堂), these places range from large-scale temple complexes, to small niches of worship in people’s private residences. Yet, they all share the potential of becoming venues of transregional interactions through processes of migration, the circulation of personnel, and local outreach. I argued that we need to take the distinct character of these localities more seriously, in order to fully understand the global networks of Yiguandao groups. Through their specific embeddedness in both local affairs and transnational projects, these temples are not simply local chapters of the (mostly) Taiwanese headquarters, but instead they are “translocalities” or even “portals of globalization”—two concepts developed in migration and global studies to help understand the significance of place in the recent phase of so-called globalization. By exploring Yiguandao temples across the globe, this paper critically evaluated these approaches, and their usefulness for the study of global religions. Empirically, it drew on both print and online material, as well as ethnographic fieldwork conducted by the author in Taiwan, Vienna (Austria), California, South Africa, and Japan from 2016 to 2018.

本文以一貫道這個源自中國的救度宗教傳統，傳到台灣發展的歷程，以及其所展現的宗教思想與實踐，著重於組織發展、教義與倫理、以及宗教與政治社會脈絡的對話，並透過梳理這個過程，成為進一步理解一貫道宗教實踐特色的基礎。一貫道曾在台灣曾遭禁三十餘載（1951-1987），但其信仰並未熄滅，在戒嚴與遭禁的情境下生存下來，發展至今成為頗具規模的宗教。在遭禁下與解禁後的發展，一貫道的宗教實踐有越趨儒教化、強調道德教化的趨勢，本文認為這個取向是特定歷史過程與文化脈絡交織下的產物，並伴隨著政治機會結構而逐漸浮現。因此本文以「道德政治」（moral politics）作為觀察一貫道宗教實踐的顯微鏡，試圖掌握一貫道實踐中道德的策略性與展演性，看到信眾如何透過詮釋道德、運用道德符號與實踐道德的方法，達到延續宗教組織、獲得宗教實踐的正當性、擴大宗教社群、推廣一貫道的宗教品牌等效果。本研究主要以一貫道的一個分支基礎忠恕為主要案例，同時參考不同組線分支的案例，以期本研究有更寬廣的視野。 / The task of the thesis is trying to interpret and analyze the praxis of a salvationist religion I-Kuan-Tao (一貫道, also written as ‘Yiguandao’) in Taiwan which originates from China and inherits the tradition of “Chinese Sectarianism”, and concentrates on the transformation of I-Kuan-Tao’s religious organization, doctrine and ethics, and dialogue with the context of the political society. I-Kuan-Tao had been prohibited by Kuomintang from 1951 to 1987, but the belief continued growing under the banned situation and Martial Law, and developed into a thrived religion after it gained legal status. The praxis of I-Kuan-Tao orientates Confucianism and emphasizes the significance of moral, which is a product of characteristic historical process, cultural contexts, and the political opportunities. The thesis develops the concept “moral politics” to describe the performance and strategy of moral in religious praxis of I-Kuan-Tao. I consider that “moral” as a maneuverable symbolic capital which further helps us to comprehend the dialectical relationship between those factors. Therefore, it will demonstrate how believers maintain and reproduce I-Kuan-Tao community, gain the legitimacy of religious praxis, promote the brand of religion and subsequently utilize their agency. The thesis focuses on Jichu Zhongshu(基礎忠恕) branch as the main case, and also compares with other branches for a broader view.