Christianity has historically been frustrated in its bid to convert the Chinese en masse owing to their allegiance to Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The Christians still persist and the Chinese still frustrate them.
The irrational dogmas of Christianity simply do not fit into the structure of the Chinese rational philosophical heritage and world-view. Buddhism is making its inner rumblings in Chinese society once again and will one day emerge as China's dominant spiritual philosophy alongside her adherence to the more pragmatic teachings of Confucius.
Saint Xavier, the Catholic saint, had once ventured to convert China to the blessed way of 'the only begotten Son of God' but ended up in depression after several years of failed attempts to make any dent in Chinese society. He then relocated himself in Western India and made manifestly good progress in his proselytising mission.
This then is the conservative Chinese mind which only Indian thought could once penetrate and significantly shape the Chinese civilisation. And herein lies the hope of practical Vedanta also making its inroads into Chinese mass psychology one day with Bien Xifashi, the Chinese name for Swami Vivekananda, leading the charge on his own and through his apostles of the future.
Written by Sugata Bose
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