A Study on The Development Process of Buddhist Printing Business in Taiwan from 1949 to 2008

• Main Authors: Yu-wen Cheng, 鄭玉雯(釋自正)
• Other Authors: Jung-shui Wan
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/k266k7

碩士 === 南華大學 === 出版與文化事業管理研究所 === 98 === 　　After being brought to Taiwan by the government in 1949, the propagation of Buddhism other than by means of Buddhist preaching activities, the most common method was by reprinting of the sutra. Owing to the high cost and scarcity of the Buddhist literature at that time, "Buddhist Printing Commission" was set up to print the Buddhist literature on a large scale. After having gone through a period of sixty years, this kind of publication, which was funded by the public for free distribution is still in existence and continue to influence the development of Buddhism and the spread of Buddhism in Taiwan. Therefore, this study will focus on this kind of nonprofit publication of Buddhist literature for public distribution funded through donations, which is generally known as the "Buddhist Printing Business" whose objective is to disseminate Buddhism. 　 　　In order to understand the process of development of the Buddhist printing business in Taiwan for the past sixty years, this study has adopted the method of "Analysis of Historical Structures" to analyze the process of development of the Buddhist printing business in Taiwan for the past sixty years by extensively collected in particular catalogues of the respective Buddhist literature publishers, besides, this study has also referred to the Buddhist literature published by the Buddhist Text Publication Unit in the Library of Luminary Buddhist Institute. Based on the developmental changes, the process is divided into four periods, namely the startup period (1949-1971), germination period (1972-1987), growing period (1988-1998) and transition period (1999-2008). Characteristic of the publishing features of each period which include the contents of the texts and the quantity published, printing, setting and editing features, distribution methods etc. has been summarized to reflect the effect of the Buddhist printing business of the particular period on the political, economical, educational and cultural developments of the Taiwanese society, in addition, the overview of the development of Buddhism at that time, the Buddhist cultural background and the contents of publication, leading into the probe of the influential impacts of the Buddhist printing business on the Taiwanese society and the development of Buddhism. 　 　　This study concludes that the Buddhist printing business has helped to accelerate the channel of propagating Buddhism, leaving behind rich literature works in respect of the development of the contemporary Buddhism as well as showing the fruits of the propagation of Buddhism. Following the evolution of the social environment in Taiwan, the development of Buddhist printing business has changed drastically in its parent organization, financial management and printing contents. Major factors influencing the development of the Buddhist printing business include internal factors such as the concept of acquiring merits by printing the Buddhist books, the rich resources of Buddhist literature and the mission to propagate Buddhism; external factors are technological advances and the active participation of the public. 　 　　This study proposes the following pertaining to the future development of the Buddhist printing business : - to utilize effectively the resources of the Buddhist printing business, - to develop distinctive printing business, in order to promote the Buddhist printing business to become a Buddhist resources sharing platform.