Nestorian Tablet: Eulogizing the Propagation of the Illustrious Religion in China, with a
Preface, composed by a priest of the Syriac Church, 781 A.D.
[Horne Introduction]
This remarkable record of the fact that Christianity flourished in medieval China
is a huge stone about ten feet high. Carven dragons and a cross adorn its summit, and its
main shaft is completely covered with some two thousand Chinese characters. It stands now
in the Peilin or "Forest of Tablets" in Sian-fu, this Peilin being a great hall
specially devoted to the preservation of old historic tablets. Up to a few years ago the
ancient stone stood with other unvalued monuments in the grounds of a Buddhist monastery,
exposed to all the assault of the elements. Only European urgence has led to its being
preserved in the Peilin.
The Nestorian sect of Christians still exists in Western Asia and was in a thriving
condition in Syria in the sixth century. It sent missionaries widely over Asia. Marco Polo
recorded having found Christian churches in China; and Roman Catholic missionaries of
later centuries found there a few Nestorians still practising a debased formof their
half-forgotten faith. This much concerning the Nestorian Christianity in China we have
long known. Then, with the modern opening of the empire, the old Nestorian stone was
found. It tells its own history, and tells it plainly, how the Nestorian monks came, how
Chinese officials were appointed to listen to their explanations, and gravely approved of
the new religion as having "excellent principles." Various emperors accepted, or
at least included, Christianity among their religions; and the faith prospered, and had
many thousands of followers, and in the year A.D. 781 erected this stone in commemoration
of its triumphs.
Now, alas, only the stone remains. The record of the sect's decay has needed no stone
to make it manifest. Nestorian Christianity, shut off from its mother land by the rise of
the Mohammedan powers in between, proved unable to resist the inroads of ignorance and
superstition and changing political affairs. It degenerated and disappeared.
"Behold the unchangeably true and invisible, who existed through all eternity
without origin; the far-seeing perfect intelligence, whose mysterious existence is
everlasting; operating on primordial substance he created the universe, being more
excellent than all holy intelligences, inasmuch as he is the source of all that is
honorable. This is our eternal true lord God, triune and mysterious in substance. He
appointed the cross as the means for determining the four cardinal points, he moved the
original spirit, and produced the two principles of nature; the somber void was changed,
and heaven and earth were opened out; the sun and moon revolved, and day and night
commenced; having perfected all inferior objects, he then made the first man; upon him he
bestowed an excellent disposition, giving him in charge the government of all created
beings; man, acting out the original principles of his nature, was pure and
unostentatious; his unsullied and expansite mind was free from the least inordinate
desire; until Satan introduced the seeds of falsehood, to deteriorate his purity of
principle; the opening thus commenced in his virtue gradually enlarged, and by this
crevice in his nature was obscured and rendered vicious; hence three hundred and
sixty-five sects followed each other in continuous track, inventing every species of
doctrinal complexity; while some pointed to material objects as the source of their faith,
others reduced all to vacancy, even to the annihilation of the two primeval principles,
some sought to call down blessings by prayers and supplications, while others by an
assumption of excellence held themselves up as superior to their fellows; their intellects
and thoughts continually wavering, their minds and affections incessantly on the move,
they never obtained their vast desires, but being exhausted and distressed they revolved
in their own heated atmosphere; till by an accumulation of obscurity they lost their path,
and after long groping in darkness they were unable to return. Thereupon, our Trinity
being divided in nature, the illustrious and honorable Messiah, veiling his true dignity,
appeared in the world as a man; angelic powers promulgated the glad tidings, a virgin gave
birth to the Holy One in Syria; a bright star announced the felicitous event, and Persians
observing the splendor came to present tribute; the ancient dispensation, as declared by
the twenty-four holy men [the writers of the Old Testament], was then fulfilled, and he
laid down great principles for the government of families and kingdoms; he established the
new religion of the silent operation of the pure spirit of the Triune; he rendered virtue
subservient to direct faith; he fixed the extent of the eight boundaries, thus completing
the truth and freeing it from dross; he opened the gate of the three constant principles,
introducing life and destroying death; he suspended the bright sun to invade the chambers
of darkness, and the falsehoods of the devil were thereupon defeated; he set in motion the
vessel of mercy by which to ascend to the bright mansions, whereupon rational beings were
then released, having thus completed the manifestation of his power, in clear day he
ascended to his true station.
Twenty-seven sacred books [the number in the New Testament] have been left, which
disseminate intelligence by unfolding the original transforming principles. By the rule
for admission, it is the custom to apply the water of baptism, to wash away all
superficial show and to cleanse and purify the neophytes. As a seal, they hold the cross,
whose influence is reflected in every direction, uniting all without distinction. As they
strike the wood, the fame of their benevolence is diffused abroad; worshiping toward the
east, they hasten on the way to life and glory; they preserve the beard to symbolize their
outward actions, they shave the crown to indicate the absence of inward affections; they
do not keep slaves, but put noble and mean all on an equality; they do not amass wealth,
but cast all their property into the common stock; they fast, in order to perfect
themselves by self-inspection; they submit to restraints, in order to strengthen
themselves by silent watchfulness; seven times a day they have worship and praise for the
benefit of the living and the dead; once in seven days they sacrifice, to cleanse the
heart and return to purity.
It is difficult to find a name to express the excellence of the true and unchangeable
doctrine; but as its meritorious operations are manifestly displayed, by accommodation it
is named the Illustrious Religion. Now without holy men, principles cannot become
expanded; without principles, holy men cannot become magnified; but with holy men and
right principles, united as the two parts of a signet, the world becomes civilized and
enlightened.
In the time of the accomplished Emperor Tai-tsung, the illustrious and magnificent
founder of the dynasty, among the enlightened and holy men who arrived was the
most-virtuous Olopun, from the country of Syria. Observing the azure clouds, he bore the
true sacred books; beholding the direction of the winds, he braved difficulties and
dangers. In the year of our Lord 635 he arrived at Chang-an; the Emperor sent his Prime
Minister, Duke Fang Hiuen-ling; who, carrying the official staff to the west border,
conducted his guest into the interior; the sacred books were translated in the imperial
library, the sovereign investigated the subject in his private apartments; when becoming
deeply impressed with the rectitude and truth of the religion, he gave special orders for
its dissemination.
In the seventh month of the year A.D. 638 the following imperial proclamation
was issued:
"Right principles have no invariable name, holy men have no invariable station;
instruction is established in accordance with the locality, with the object of benefiting
the people at large. The greatly virtuous Olopun, of the kingdom of Syria, has brought his
sacred books and images from that distant part, and has presented them at our chief
capital. Having examined the principles of this religion, we find them to be purely
excellent and natural; investigating its originating source, we find it has taken its rise
from the establishment of important truths; its ritual is free from perplexing
expressions, its principles will survive when the framework is forgot; it is beneficial to
all creatures; it is advantageous to mankind. Let it be published throughout the Empire,
and let the proper authority build a Syrian church in the capital in the I-ning May, which
shall be governed by twenty-one priests. When the virtue of the Chau Dynasty declined, the
rider on the azure ox ascended to the west; the principles of the great Tang becoming
resplendent, the Illustrious breezes have come to fan the East."
Orders were then issued to the authorities to have a true portrait of the Emperor
taken; when it was transferred to the wall of the church, the dazzling splendor of the
celestial visage irradiated the Illustrious portals. The sacred traces emitted a
felicitous influence, and shed a perpetual splendor over the holy precincts. According to
the Illustrated Memoir of the Western Regions, and the historical books of the Han and Wei
dynasties, the kingdom of Syria reaches south to the Coral Sea; on the north it joins the
Gem Mountains; on the west it extends toward the borders of the immortals and the flowery
forests; on the east it lies open to the violent winds and tideless waters. The country
produces fire-proof cloth, life-restoring incense, bright moon-pearls, and night-luster
gems. Brigands and robbers are unknown, but the people enjoy happiness and peace. None but
Illustrious laws prevail; none but the virtuous are raised to sovereign power. The land is
broad and ample, and its literary productions are perspicuous and clear.
The Emperor Kau-tsung respectfully succeeded his ancestor, and was still more
beneficent toward the institution of truth. In every province he caused Illustrious
churches to be erected, and ratified the honor conferred upon Olopun, making him the great
conservator of doctrine for the preservation of the State. While this doctrine pervaded
every channel, the State became enriched and tranquillity abounded. Every city was full of
churches, and the royal family enjoyed luster and happiness. In the year A.D. 699 the
Buddhists, gaining power, raised their voices in the eastern metropolis; in the year A.D.
713, some low fellows excited ridicule and spread slanders in the western capital. At that
time there was the chief priest Lohan, the greatly virtuous Kie-leih, and others of noble
estate from the golden regions, lofty-minded priests, having abandoned all worldly
interests; who unitedly maintained the grand principles and preserved them entire to the
end. The high-principled Emperor Hiuen-tsung caused the Prince of Ning and others, five
princes in all, personally to visit the felicitous edifice; he established the place of
worship; he restored the consecrated timbers which had been temporarily thrown down; and
re-erected the sacred stones which for a time had been desecrated.
In A.D. 742 orders were given to the great general Kau Lih-sz', to send the five sacred
portraits and have them placed in the church, and a gift of a hundred pieces of silk
accompanied these pictures of intelligence. Although the dragon's beard was then remote,
their bows and swords were still within reach; while the solar horns sent forth their
rays, and celestial visages seemed close at hand. In A.D. 744 the priest Kih-ho, in the
kingdom of Syria, looking toward the star [of China], was attracted by its transforming
influence, and observing the sun [i.e., the Emperor], came to pay court to the most
honorable. The Emperor commanded the priest Lo-han, the priest Pu-lun, and others, seven
in all, together with the greatly virtuous Kih-ho, to perform a service of merit in the
Hing-king palace. Thereupon the Emperor composed mottoes for the sides of the church, and
the tablets were graced with the royal inscriptions; the accumulated gems emitted their
effulgence, while their sparkling brightness vied with the ruby clouds; the transcripts of
intelligence suspended in the void shot forth their rays as reflected by the sun; the
bountiful gifts exceeded the height of the southern hills; the bedewing favors were deep
as the eastern sea. Nothing is beyond the range of the right principle, and what is
permissible may be identified; nothing is beyond the power of the holy man, and that which
is practicable may be related.
The accomplished and enlightened Emperor Suh-tsung rebuilt the Illustrious churches in
Ling-wu and four other places; great benefits were conferred, and felicity began to
increase; great munificence was displayed, and the imperial State became established. The
accomplished and military Emperor Tai-tsung magnified the sacred succession, and honored
the latent principle of nature; always, on the incarnation-day, he bestowed celestial
incense, and ordered the performance of a service of merit; he distributed of the imperial
viands, in order to shed a glory on the Illustrious Congregation. Heaven is munificent in
the dissemination of blessings, whereby the benefits of life are extended; the holy man
embodies the original principle of virtue, whence he is able to counteract noxious
influences.
Our sacred and sage-like, accomplished and military Emperor Kien-chung appointed the
eight branches of government, according to which he advanced or degraded the intelligent
and dull; he opened up the nine categories, by means of which he renovated the Illustrious
decrees; his transforming influence pervaded the most abstruse principles, while openness
of heart distinguished his devotions. Thus, by correct and enlarged purity of principle,
and undeviating consistency in sympathy with others; by extended commiseration rescuing
multitudes from misery, while disseminating blessings on all around, the cultivation of
our doctrine gained a grand basis, and by gradual advances its influence was diffused. If
the winds and rains are seasonable, the world will be at rest; men will be guided by
principle, inferior objects will be pure; the living will be at ease, and the dead will
rejoice; the thoughts will produce their appropriate response, the affections will be
free, and the eyes will be sincere; such is the laudable condition which we of the
Illustrious Religion are laboring to attain.
Our great benefactor, the Imperially conferred purple-gown priest, I-sz', titular Great
Statesman of the Banqueting-house, Associated Secondary Military Cornmissioner for the
Northern Region, and Examination-palace Overseer, was naturally mild and graciously
disposed; his mind susceptible of sound doctrine, he was diligent in the performance; from
the distant city of Rajagriha, he came to visit China; his principles more lofty than
those of the three dynasties, his practise was perfect in every department; at first he
applied himself to duties pertaining to the palace, eventually his name was inscribed on
the military roll. When the Duke Koh Tsz'-i, Secondary Minister of State and Prince of
Fan-yang, at first conducted the military in the northern region, the Emperor Suh-tsung
made him (I-sz') his attendant on his travels; although he was a private chamberlain, he
assumed no distinction on the march; he was as claws and teeth to the duke, and in rousing
the military he was as ears and eyes; he distributed the wealth conferred upon him, not
accumulating treasure for his private use; he made offerings of the jewelry which had been
given by imperial favor, he spread out a golden carpet for devotion; now he repaired the
old churches, anon he increased the number of religious establishments; he honored and
decorated the various edifices, till they resembled the plumage of the pheasant in its
flight; moreover, practising the discipline of the Illustrious Religion, he distributed
his riches in deeds of benevolence; every year he assembled those in the sacred office
from four churches, and respectfully engaged them for fifty days in purification and
preparation; the naked came and were clothed; the sick were attended to and restored; the
dead were buried in repose; even among the most pure and self-denying of the Buddhists,
such excellence was never heard of; the white-clad members of the Illustrious
Congregation, now considering these men, have desired to engrave a broad tablet, in order
to set forth a eulogy of their magnanimous deeds.
ODE
The true Lord is without origin,
Profound, invisible, and unchangeable;
With power and capacity to perfect and transform,
He raised up the earth and established the heavens.
Divided in nature, he entered the world,
To save and to help without bounds;
The sun arose, and darkness was dispelled,
All bearing witness to his true original.
The glorious and resplendent, accomplished Emperor,
Whose principles embraced those of preceding monarchs,
Taking advantage of the occasion, suppressed turbulence;
Heaven was spread out and the earth was enlarged.
When the pure, bright Illustrious Religion
Was introduced to our Tang Dynasty,
The Scriptures were translated, and churches built,
And the vessel set in motion for the living and the dead;
Every kind of blessing was then obtained,
And all the kingdoms enjoyed a state of peace.
When Kau-tsung succeeded to his ancestral estate,
He rebuilt the edifices of purity;
Palaces of concord, large and light,
Covered the length and breadth of the land.
The true doctrine was clearly announced,
Overseers of the church were appointed in due form;
The people enjoyed happiness and peace,
While all creatures were exempt from calamity and distress.
When Hiuen-tsung commenced his sacred career,
He applied himself to the cultivation of truth and rectitude;
His imperial tablets shot forth their effulgence,
And the celestial writings mutually refiected their splendors.
The imperial domain was rich and luxuriant,
While the whole land rendered exalted homage;
Every business was flourishing throughout,
And the people all enjoyed prosperity.
Then came Suh-tsung, who commenced anew,
And celestial dignity marked the Imperial movements.
Sacred as the moon's unsullied expanse,
While felicity was wafted like nocturnal gales.
Happiness reverted to the Imperial household,
The autumnal influences were long removed;
Ebullitions were allayed, and risings suppressed,
And thus our dynasty was firmly built up.
Tai-tsung the filial and just
Combined in virtue with heaven and earth;
By his liberal bequests the living were satisfied,
And property formed the channel of imparting succor.
By fragrant mementoes he rewarded the meritorious,
With benevolence he dispensed his donations;
The solar concave appeared in dignity,
And the lunar retreat was decorated to extreme.
When Kien-chung succeeded to the throne,
He began the cultivation of intelligent virtue;
His military vigilance extended to the four seas,
And his accomplished purity influenced all lands.
His light penetrated the secrecies of men,
And to him the diversities of objects were seen as in a mirror;
He shed a vivifying infiuence through the whole realm of nature,
And all outer nations took him for example.
The true doctrine, how expansive!
Its responses are minute;
How difficult to name it!
To elucidate the three in one.
The sovereign has the power to act!
While the ministers record;
We raise this noble monument!
To the praise of great felicity.
This was erected in the 2d year of Kien-chung, of the Tang Dynasty [A.D. 781], on the
7th day of the 1st month, being Sunday.
Written by Lu Siu-yen, Secretary to Council, formerly Military Superintendent for
Tai-chau; while the Bishop Ning-shu had the charge of the congregations of the Illustrious
in the East.
[The Following are written in Syriac, running down the right and left sides of the
Chinese inscription above].
"Adam, Deacon, Vicar-episcopal and Pope of China. In the time of the Father of
Fathers, the Lord John Joshua, the Universal Patriarch."
[The Following is in Syriac at the foot of the stone].
"In the year of the Greeks one thousand and ninety-two, the Lord Jazedbuzid,
Priest and Vicar-episcopal of Cumdan the royal city, son of the enlightened Mailas, Priest
of Balkh a city of Turkestan, set up this tablet, whereon is inscribed the Dispensation of
our Redeemer, and the preaching of the apostolic missionaries to the King of China."
[After this, in Chinese characters, follows: ]
"The Priest Lingpau."
[Then follows in Syriac:]
"Adam the Deacon, son of Jazedbuzid, Vicar-episcopal.
The Lord Sergius, Priest and Vicar-episcopal.
Sabar Jesus, Priest.
Gabriel, Priest, Archdeacon, and Ecclesiarch of Cumdan and Sarag."
[The following subscription is appended in Chinese :]
"Assistant Examiner: the High Statesman of the Sacred rites, the Imperially
conferred purple-gown Chief Presbyter and Priest Yi-li."
[On the left-hand edge are the Syriac names of sixty-seven priests, and sixty-one
are given in Chinese.]