Chinese Classics in Matteo Ricci’s 天主实义 and its reception in Korea

Matteo Ricci’s (利?? 1552-1610) 天主?? (“The true meaning of the Lord of Heaven”) is “an unrivalled example of meeting between Chinese Classics and Christianity” but also marks the beginning of the acceptance of Christianity in Korea. Yi Su-gwang known as Jibong (1563-1628), one of the leading figures of the time, introduced in Korea both Western and Catholic knowledge, through the mediation of the Confucian Chinese books of Matteo Ricci and his friends. The 天主?? was explicitly written in dialogue with Confucianism and all the main topics of the treatise are presented in connection with the Chinese Classics: the existence of God; the human soul; the debate whether the soul is some energy or it is spirit; the issue of reincarnation; the cultivation of moral virtue; the connection between actions, intention and reward; the goodness of human nature.