Fully-fledged cultural exchanges between East and West began with Father Matteo Ricci, according to a prominent speaker at a seminar commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Jesuit missionary’s death.

“Father Ricci held in-depth discussions with intellectuals in China for years and documented them,” said Song Young-bae, honorary philosophy professor of Seoul National University.  “Ricci was the pioneer of exchanges between East and West, so to speak,” he said.

Song was speaking at a Sept. 16-17 international symposium on Father Matteo Ricci organized by the Jesuit-run Sogang University.

According to Song, the Jesuit missioner used three methods in his evangelization efforts in China.

Ricci first drew people’s attention by introducing European science like world maps and alarm clocks. He also respected Chinese traditions and Confucian ancestral rites as a form of inculturation. Finally, by mixing with the upper classes, he tried to make Christianity known to ordinary people.

“He brought Western science technology, philosophy and religion to Chinese,” Song said. “In turn he enlightened Europe about the socio-political system, philosophies and religions of China through his letters and books.”

These exchanges “had a strong influence on Eastern and Western civilizations,” Song said.

Father Matteo Ricci’s presentation of world maps and theories of deduction had a major effect on the Chinese who until then believed China was at the center of the earth, and had only theories on inductive reasoning, Song said.

Some 14 local and foreign scholars reviewed the achievements of the Jesuit missionary and reflected the symposium’s theme: Cultural Encounters of East and West, Challenge and Opportunity.

They also studied tensions, struggles and challenges in ongoing exchanges between East and West by reviewing Father Matteo Ricci’s works.

Italian Father Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) traveled from Italy to China in 1582. He wrote The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven in Chinese and transmitted Catholic teachings through it.

His missionary work was based on a cultural approach involving discussions, inculturation, fellowship and human development.

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