臺籍遍路結願者認真休閒體驗歷程之研究

Abstract

日本的四國遍路是一條千年之路也是徒步朝聖的千里之路，兼具了歷史深度與挑戰難度，近年來前往四國朝聖的遍路者日漸增多，尤其COVID-19疫情後重啟國門，願意嘗試者眾。認真休閒是有系統地追求一項業餘、愛好或志願者核心活動，該活動高度充實且有趣。參與者通常會在實踐、知識和經驗的過程中找到一種生涯性的職業感。遍路參與者（簡稱遍路者）必須透過長時間的參與，深入了解其中遍路文化精神意義與價值，持續努力堅忍不拔的毅力，如同認真休閒參與者的特質。本研究旨在探究臺籍遍路結願者的心路歷程、遍路者在不同道場的身體與心理活動如何呼應認真休閒的七個核心特質：（1）顯著的個人努力(Significant Personal Effort)。（2）堅持不懈的毅力(Perseverance)。（3）有規劃的休閒生涯(Leisure Career)。（4）持續的個人受益 (Durable Benefits)。（5）強烈的認同感 (A Strong identification)。（6）獨特的精神特質 (A Unique Ethos)。（7）文化互動（Interaction with Culture）。訪談對象為完成88番寺院之9位臺籍遍路者，以半結構之深度訪談進行敘事研究，透過個人遍路經驗的敘事詮釋，整理出個人完成遍路的故事敘述。以認真休閒之特質為主要概念，探究臺籍遍路結願者之歷程體驗（動機特質、歷程與挑戰），並以文化互動的觀點，檢視對照遍路者的參與動機以及參與的心理過程及其影響，研究結果發現，臺籍遍路結願者在四國朝聖過程中透過努力與毅力，勇於克服遍路的苦與險，並對於途中的靈性之美與四國居民利他的「御接待」文化互動印象深刻，完成遍路後的成就感，使其持續受益，正面影響其後續生活，是否再次踏上遍路，部分受訪者表示將選擇自己喜歡的路段重遊。Japan’s Shikoku Pilgrimage is a thousand-year-old spiritual route and a thousand-kilometer journey undertaken on foot, combining profound historical significance with physical and mental challenges. In recent years, the number of pilgrims undertaking this journey has steadily increased, particularly after the reopening of national borders following the COVID-19 pandemic. Serious leisure refers to the systematic pursuit of amateur, hobbyist, or volunteer core activities that are highly fulfilling and engaging. Participants often develop a career-like sense of vocation through the accumulation of practice, knowledge, and experience. Pilgrims (commonly referred to as henro) must engage in the pilgrimage over a long period to fully comprehend its spiritual meanings and cultural values. Their continuous effort and perseverance mirror the characteristics of serious leisure participants.This study aims to explore the inner journey of Taiwanese pilgrims who have completed the full circuit of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. It investigates how their physical and psychological experiences across various sacred sites correspond to the seven core characteristics of serious leisure: (1) Significant Personal Effort, (2) Perseverance, (3) Leisure Career, (4) Durable Benefits, (5) Strong Identification, (6) A Unique Ethos, and (7) Interaction with Culture.The research is based on narrative inquiry through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine Taiwanese pilgrims who have completed visits to all 88 temples. By interpreting their personal pilgrimage narratives, the study reconstructs individual stories of completing the journey. Using the Serious Leisure Perspective as the primary analytical framework, it examines the participants’ motivations, challenges, and developmental processes. The study also considers the perspective of cultural interaction to explore the psychological impact of participation and its influence on the pilgrims’ lives. The findings reveal that through perseverance and effort, Taiwanese pilgrims overcome hardships and are deeply moved by the spiritual beauty of the journey and the altruistic hospitality (o-settai) of Shikoku residents. The sense of accomplishment after completing the pilgrimage brings lasting benefits and positive influences on their subsequent lives. Some participants expressed their willingness to revisit their favorite sections of the pilgrimage in the future.