宋江陣是內門鄉寺廟傳統宗教儀式中重要的活動之一，原始訴求為團結村民抵禦外侮、幫神明「逗鬧熱」、驅邪辟惡以祈求村落居民平安順利。本研究目的在於二一、追溯內門宋江陣之源起。二、探討內門宋江陣之發展與內涵。三、綜論內門宋江陣的維護與發揚。本研究採歷史研究法、文獻分析法及田野調查法，針對內門宋江陣活動的相關資料，加以閱讀、整理、分析、歸納與詮釋、考證，進而瞭解宋江陣此活動在內門鄉傳統鄉土文化上的意義與重要性，並針對目前所面臨的問題思索改進之道。而本研究經探討後獲得以下結論：一、內門宋江陣應源起於清朝時期，因鄉內地形險峻，常有外來侵略，先民為自我防衛，於是自組武力團體保衛家園。內門鄉主要信仰中心「內門紫竹寺」於清朝雍正十一年（西元1733年）建立之後，先民為感謝觀音佛祖神恩，組織運用武術團體於觀音佛祖誕辰燒境慶祝期間，幫佛祖「逗鬧熱」。之後，結合《水游傳》的英雄故事排演而成為宋江陣，並逐漸演變出各式各樣的陣式內容。二、內門宋江陣由早期清朝時主要的防衛及宗教性質，演變發展至後來，在日據時代之後，因政令因素，逐漸演變為宗教的性質。內門宋江陣因陣中領導人物的不同而區分為宋江陣、宋江獅陣、白鶴陣、宋江龍陣等總計有二十四陣，而其分佈以山西區域較多。組織陣式內容，因領導人物中心差異，動作內零而有所不同，目前組織人數以三十六人陣為主，多數成員信仰觀音佛祖。而為協助觀音佛祖廟會慶祝活動，成員均自願加入。三、內門宋江陣鄉土文化內容豐富，具有宗教、社會、經濟、教育、休閒娛樂等功能，有助於安定人心，促進地方繁榮。為求內門宋江陣的永續經營發展，必須由內門鄉地方廟宇、藝陣團體、學校、社會大眾等方面進行協調溝通，積極的發揚與維護。

Song Jiang Battle Array is the most important traditional activities of religion in Neimen. Song Jiang Battle Array was developed as a form of local self-defense against raiding bandits. Today, it combines martial arts and religious ceremony into a type of folk performance that enlivens temple festivals all over Taiwan. •The aims of this research are as follows: 1. To trace the origins of Neimen Song Jiang Battle Array. 2. To explore and discuss the developments and intentions of Neimen Song Jiang Battle Array. 3. To summarize the extensions and preservations of Neimen Song Jiang Battle Array. According to the activity information of Neimen Song Jiang Battle Array, this research was adopted Historical Research, Literature Analysis (Citation Analysis) and Fieldwork Methods to peruse, analyze, arrange, conclude, explain, investigate and understand the purport and values of Song Jiang Battle Array to the traditional country culture in Neimen; and take time to consider and improve the current problems. •Conclusion of this research: 1. Song Jiang Battle Array is performed as an essential ritual for religious in Neimen. The origins of Neimen Song Jiang Battle Array date back to the Qing Dynasty, when bandits ravaged the mountain areas around Neimen and robbed the local people of their hard-earned possessions. Since the government was powerless to stop these depredations, the local people took matters into their own hands, organizing self-defense teams and setting up a training program for themselves. The focus of the faithful throughout Neimen Township is Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, at Tzuchu Temple, which legend says was established in the era of the Yongzheng Emperor in Qing times (1733). 2. Because of different leaders the Neimen Song Jiang Battle Array differentiate between Song Jiang Battle Array, Song Jiang Lion Battle Array, Crane Battle Array, Song Jiang Dragon Battle Array and go on, there have 24 Battle Arrays in total. Whenever the Song Jiang Battle Array is performed, there can be as many as seventy, eighty or even one hundred performers, but most typically there will be 36 members to a team. Each participant wields a distinctive weapon and assumes the role of one of the characters in the ancient novel Shui Hu Chuan (Outlaws of the Marsh). The heroes of this Chinese literary classic are outlaws on a mission to defeat corrupt officialdom and restore virtue to the land. They manifest an intrepid spirit, ready to take on ten thousand of the enemy in a tense and stimulating atmosphere, with a force and beauty that is truly moving, making it well worth viewing. 3. Not only did such martial formations as the Song Jiang Battle Array forge a bond between popular religious faith and leisure amusement in traditional agrarian society, but they also served a number of other social functions, such as enhancing social interaction and promoting physical well-being. However, the Song Jiang Battle Array organizations not only have religious functions, but also have social functions-providing opportunities for entertainment, exercise, socializing, as well as providing channels for the village people to work together. The Song-Jiang Battle Array has become a unique cultural event in Taiwan.