宗教與軟實力：以在美國洛杉磯的台灣佛教NGO

Abstract

關於宗教組織軟實力的研究不多，更少有研究以佛教作為一個軟實力進行探索，目前佛教作為一種可能的國際政治軟實力作用也不清楚。由於台灣特殊的國際定位，一般認為，影響力或軟實力也是台灣開拓國際關係的重要一環。國際上有兩個重要的佛教組織：慈濟及佛光山，都以台灣為起源，也都在台灣設有總部，更重要的是它們都被認為具有國際影響力。本研究提問：慈濟與佛光山可以當台灣的軟實力的一部分嗎？本研究比較了不同軟實力的思路和定義，並採用質性的方法探索，鎖定美國洛杉磯都會為研究範圍，分析慈濟及佛光山在該地的影響，並藉此探索這樣的影響與台灣的關係，還有其對台灣國際關係的發展有何作用。本研究認為，慈濟及佛光山不同於其他地方的宗教軟實力，它們僅有限地成為台灣及其國際關係的一部分軟實力。相對於國家及佛教來說，慈濟及佛光山所生產的軟實力以貢獻在它們組織本身的發展與成長為主。

Influence, or soft power, is important for Taiwan’s international politics. Can Tzu Chi and Fo Guang Shan work as soft power? The Buddhist organizations of Tzu Chi and Fo Guang Shan, which originated and are based in Taiwan, have influence in Taiwan and internationally. Los Angeles was chosen as a focus of the study because the charity work and cultural contributions of these organizations represents their influence all over the world. To attempt to answer this question, I explored different ideas and definitions of soft power using qualitative methods. I analyzed the influence of these organizations in Los Angeles, Taiwan, and internationally through primary sources and secondary sources. There is little research on the soft power of religious organizations, and no research focuses on Buddhism alone as a soft power. Buddhism’s role in international politics and as a possible soft power is not clear. Through unique research and correlation of existing research, this article establishes that while Tzu Chi and Fo Guang Shan are not strong examples of state soft power, they are both fully devoted to their respective missions abroad, which makes them a strong influence among impacted groups.