The Nanchang Anti-Christian Case of 1607: Its Charges, Theories and Background

 

Abstract:

Around 1607, twenty seven licentiates from Nanchang accused Matteo Ricci, Giovanni Soeiro, Emanuele Dias and some other Jesuits of rebellion and teaching dangerous doctrines, arguing that the priests ought to be executed or expelled from China. This was the first organized anti-Christian case of the Ming Dynasty. Although the plaintiffs lost the case, they published a pamphlet to justify their action, which was sent in 1616 to Shen Que (沈榷), becoming one of the mobilizing factors in the Nanking persecution. As the case took place in the city where Matteo Ricci was once warmly received, where Wang Yangming’s teachings were flourishing, and a city famous for its Buddhist and Daoist shrines, it deserves further study.


Keywords:

Late Ming, anti-Christian case, Nanchang, Yangming school


Full Text (International Version):

HUANG YunSCN JSCC.pdf

Full Text (Simplified Chinese Version):

HUANG YunSCN JSCC.pdf