A Contrastive Study on the Chinese Inscriptions of Judaism and Islam during the Hongzhi Zhengde Period (1488-1521)

Abstract

During the Hongzhi Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, Judaism left two

Chinese inscriptions, while Islam left six. Through study and comparison, it can be concluded that the two religions have differences in the translation of scripture names and the Confucian concept of ancestor worship. It can also be concluded that the two religions have the same Chinese name for worship object and religious professionals. At the same time, the two religions have many similarities: The economic sources for building religions sites, the concept of loyalty to the monarch, and the relationship with traditional Chinese culture. The author believes that: the comparative study of the inscriptions of the two religions showed the conditions of the Jews and Muslims at that time more accurately; these inscriptions are the historical thought resources of the sinicization of the two religions, and are important historical materials for the comparison and dialogue between the cultures of the two religions and the Chinese thought and culture; These inscriptions are products of the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations along the Beltand Road has enriched the ideas of the two religions while also contributing to Chinese culture.