Integration of Catholicism Into Confucianism During Ming & Qing Dynasties: A Source of Chinese Comparative Literature

Comparative Literature has already seen a history of more than one century. The formation of this discipline is not only related to the trend of social ideology and initiators in the period in which it took shape, but also closely associated with the precedents of utilizing the method of comparison in history. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Catholicism became actively involved in Chinese culture on a large scale. In order to preach religious ideas, the Western missionaries and the Chinese disciples did plenty of work in linking up Catholicism with Confucianism. Such work as was substantially cross-cultural possesses the character of comparison and constitutes one of the sources of Comparative Literature in China.