Title

Wen Tingshi’s Politico-Religious Discourse: Its Origins, Expressions, and Evolution

Author

Yu Yihong

Genre

Article

Pages

275-304

DOI

10.6503/THJCS.202306_53(2).0003

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese

Key words

Wen Tingshi 文廷式 , new learning in the late Qing Dynasty, Confucianism as religion, Reformist Confucians

Abstract

As a celebrated poet and established Confucian scholar, Wen Tingshi 文廷式 (1856-1904) was also a significant political figure in late Qing China. Drawing on old and new intellectual resources, Wen formulated a profound but succinct theory of politics and religion during the Jiawu 甲午-Gengzi 庚子 Period. His theory is an important example of traditional China’s responses to western influences. The introduction of this paper reviews the relevant literature and explains the method and significance of studying Wen’s theory of politics and religion. Next, in chronological order, this paper shows Wen’s hybrid intellectual background and his thoughts on dealing with the moral-political risks of Qing current affairs. In addition, by examining the origins of world religions in the eyes of Wen Tingshi, especially the genealogy of “Brahmanism Christianity,” this paper elucidates Wen’s views on politics and religion and points out that Wen’s theory is intended to emphasize the compatibility of Confucianism and the superiority of Chinese politics and religion. Thirdly, this paper demonstrates the evolution of Wen’s views on politics and religion by analyzing how, in his later years, Wen Tingshi came to accept and equally respect Buddhism together with Confucianism; and, under the influence of Buddhism, he came to strongly believe in reforming the monarchy. Finally, the conclusion compares Wen’s theory to similar ideas of Huang Zunxian 黃遵憲 (1848-1905) in order to illustrate the fuzziness of knowledge and the political eclecticism in the new learning of the Qing Dynasty.