During The Ming And Qing Dynasties, The Jesuits Examined The "religion" Of China

The Jesuits'came to China doing missionary work during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They've learn some Chinese Thought and Culture during the preach. According to the Jesuits'observation,China is a country,which full of "superstition and idolatry". China has three major "religions", Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.In the land of China,almost nobody do not believe in these "religions ",from noble to common people. Although the Jesuits'cognitive "religion" from faith,they still argue that the framework of "religion"should includes "leader"-. "doctrine" and "church". The Jesuits'investigated these three kinds of "religion" within the scope of this cognitive.The Jesuits'thought that Confucius is the leader of Confucianism.The Four Books and Five Classics are the doctrine of Confucianism. And the followers of Confucianism are the believer of Confucianism. Confucianism had a lot of sermons on morality, which the Jesuits'believed is the closest to Catholic, although it is not bring the truth to us.On the study of the Buddhism,the Jesuits'criticize the flesh of Sakyamuni,which they argue could not be compared to the God.The Jesuits'criticizes Buddhist classics fiercely, and they thought the doctrine of Buddhism actually plagiarized western advanced theory.As for the monks, the Jesuits' regard them as a group of stupid informers.The Jesuits'did not differentiate "Taoists"from "Taoism", but confused.They believe that Lao Tzu is the founder of Taoism,and the doctrine of Taoist desecrate the God, unrealistic-Taoists'believers are ignorant and degenerate corruption.In all, the understanding of Jesuits'to Buddhism,Taoism and Confucianism in China is a synthesis of recognition.This synthesis of recognition not only simply action in China, but also have an influence in Western society.The Jesuits' post a lot of letters and translations to Europe, they introduced Chinese "religion" largely in these books.Therefore,this synthesis of recognition not only have an influence in chinese local missionaries and chinese scholar group,but also caused great social reaction in Europe. You can even say that this synthesis of recognition of Jesuits'bulit the chinese image and temperament to the Western partly.