The Discovery and Importance of the Stele from Xi’an for the Jesuit Missions in China in XVII Century in the Light of Historiae Sinarum Imperii of Tomasz Szpot Dunin (1644–1713)
Abstract
The article deals with the discovery of a Nestorian stele in Xi’an – the former capital of China – which was erected in 781 and discovered in 1625. The finding quickly attracted the attention of some of the Jesuit missionaries working in China, who not only examined the stele on the site, but also described its content in the reports sent to the Superior General. The discovery from Xi’an was highlighted in the first monographies dedicated to the history of the Jesuit missions in China written, among others, by Álvaro de Semedo, Michael Boym, Athanasius Kircher. The stele was an important evangelization tool, as it well corresponded with traditional Chinese culture, which emphasized the value of historical continuation and conservatism. Thomas Szpot Dunin stresses the threefold significance of the discovery. Firstly, its presence indicated that Christianity was on equal footing with traditional Chinese religions such as Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism. Secondly, the inscription emphasized the monotheism of the Christian religion, which served well the Jesuits missionaries, who, like Matteo Ricci, tried to convince the Chinese that they had been monotheists in the ancient times. Thirdly, the finding of the monument contributed to missionary success in Shaanxi province itself.
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