| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 地理學系 === 91 === Xuan-tian Taoism Temple is not only a place for religious service, but also a community symbol to the people of Hsiaying. The temple controls the development and changes in Hsiaying society through its integration and utilization of various resources. Through the investigation of how Mou-kung-way settlement declined and how Hai-chien-ying settlement and Xuan-tian Taoism Temple evolved, this study explores the development of Hsiaying settlement. In particular, the role of Xuan-tian Taoism Temple in shaping the development of Hsiaying settlement is of focus.
The purposes of the study are: (1) to investigate the historically natural environment changes related to the development of Hsiaying settlement, (2) to understand the role of Xuan-tian Taoism Temple in shaping the local life of Hsiaying, (3) to delineate how Xuan-tian Taoism Temple integrates national and local resources to affect the present condition and the future of the community. Geographical man-environment tradition is used to discuss the geographical changes of Mou-kung-way and Hai-chien-ying areas. Mou-kung-way was the embryo settlement of Hsiaying. With natural environmental changes, including river route changes and earthquakes, a newly emerged land made a new settlement called Hai-chien-ying possible. Xuan-tian Taoism Temple then became the center of Hai-chien-ying settlement, which is called Hsiaying. With tight religious, cultural and family ties, Hsiaying society is composed of six local clans. In addition to its religious role, the Temple’s operation and activities in the Hsiaying is strengthened by the close clan-oriented society. The Temple, with its hugh ownership of property (including land and public infrastructures), exercises more than religious power. It even involves in the local agricultural, societal and even clan-oriented affairs. With such close and extensive relation with the people of Hsiaying, the Xuan-tian Taoism Temple has every reason to play a central role in integrating resources existing for the development of the community. Xuan-tian Taoism Temple strengthens the community identity via combining its activities with the six-clan organizations. With the capacity of integrating various resources and national policies, the organization and committee members of Xuan-tian Taoism Temple shapes the community’s façade and its development in a great way.
Today the Xuan-tian Taoism Temple still integrates national policies and local organizations in Hsiaying, but it’s possible for the Temple to empty with the gradual decline of the six local clans. This is another problem facing the Hsiaying community.
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