本論文試圖探究明代雲棲祩宏、近代虛雲老和尚，多次舉辦「水陸法會」的歷史背景;同時，解釋祖師為確保法會品質而特別訂定的<水陸道場規約>、<水陸法會念誦執事規約>;並通過比較兩位祖師<水陸規約>的異同，反應時代的變化，及尋找其亙古不變的精神準則，以予現在台灣頻頻舉辦「水陸法會」的道場及其信眾一個可資藉鑑的典範;從而建立「水陸法會」與會者正確的觀念、認知，並期望將觀念化為實際行動，使當代的「水陸法會」既有時代的特色，也符合經旨，達成水陸建會的終極目的。

This paper intends to explore the historic background of "Water-Land Dharma Assembly" presided on many occasions by Master Lian Chi of the Ming dynasty and contemporary Monk Hsu Yun, and illustrate the meanings of "Ritual Site Canon for Water-Land Dharma Assembly" and "Canon for Water-Land Dharma Assembly Chanting and Practices" specifically stipulated by both Buddhist patriarchs. Further comparison will be made on the similarities and differences between their canons, to reveal the changes and perpetual spiritual criteria reflected by them. Hopefully by
setting up a paradigm for the current "Water-Land Dharma Assembly" so frequently practiced at Buddhist ashrams, this paper will serve as a practical guideline for Buddhist followers to the ultimate purpose of "Water-Land Dharma Assembly", by providing the corr.ect conccpt and recognition complying both to our modern society and ancient scriptural gist.