Exploring Early Buddhist-Christian (Jingjiao 景教) Dialogues in Text and Image

A Cultural Hermeneutic Approach

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4313685
AutoresJun Wang (0000-0003-4485-7201, China Jiliang University), Wang Jun (0000-0003-3905-5845), Michael Cavayero (0009-0000-8482-1698, Peking University, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume16
Fascículo5
Páginas565
Data de publicação2025-04-28
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel16050565
OpenAlexW4410008258
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas40

The dialogue between Christianity and Buddhism began during the Tang dynasty (618-907) when East Syrian Christian missionaries from Persia arrived in China in 635. At this time, Buddhism was prospering under the Tang Empire, and the "Church of the East" was established, known as the "Brilliant (or Radiant) Teaching" (Jingjiao 景教). Historical records and archaeological evidence indicate that the Jingjiao church employed the method of "matching concepts" (geyi 格義). This methodology, initially utilized in the early stages of Buddhism's dissemination from India and Central Asia to China for the translation of Buddhist texts, was similarly applied to the translation of Christian texts and concepts. These translation efforts and dissemination activities represent the earliest documented encounters between Christianity and Buddhism in premodern times. Furthermore, recent archaeological discoveries reveal that the dialogue between the two religions in China transpired through textual and visual representations (iconography) in the form of "borrowing pictures". This study investigates these interactions across disciplines, exploring the evidence of early cultural exchange between Buddhism and Christianity while reviewing the motivations behind the missionaries' translation and dissemination activities. It addresses pivotal questions regarding these early dialogues by examining the proselytization strategies employed and analyzing the reasons why imperial authorities sanctioned Christian activities and facilitated their propagation during the Tang dynasty

Buddhism · Epistemology · Theology · Chinese history and philosophy · Eurasian Exchange Networks · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Philosophy