In a rare display of reverence for Indian philosophy, several leading Chinese scholars have hailed the Bhagavad Gita as the “nectar of wisdom” and a “miniature history of Indian civilisation.” Speaking at a symposium titled ‘Sangamam, A Confluence of Indian Philosophical Traditions’, organised by the Indian Embassy in Beijing, the scholars reflected on the Gita’s enduring relevance in addressing the moral and material challenges of modern life.
Why Chinese Scholars See the Bhagavad Gita as a “Philosophical Encyclopaedia of India”
At the event, scholars described the Bhagavad Gita as a complete guide to understanding India’s spiritual and philosophical traditions. Professor Zhang Baosheng, the 88-year-old Chinese Indologist who translated the Gita into Chinese, called it a “spiritual epic and a philosophical encyclopaedia of India.” He said the scripture embodies India’s vision of duty (karma), action, and detachment, principles that continue to shape Indian society today.
Recalling his visits across India from Kanniyakumari in the south to Gorakhpur in the north during the 1980s, Prof Zhang said he felt the spiritual presence of Lord Krishna everywhere, not merely as a mythological figure, but as a living moral guide influencing Indian consciousness.
Bhagavad Gita: A Living Influence on India’s Culture and Soul
Prof Zhang described the Gita as a “cultural anthropology of the Indian soul,” noting that its teachings remain deeply embedded in daily life. He said, “It is not a remote scripture, but a living influence on Indian morality and psychology.” According to him, the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna reflects India’s ethical crises, its philosophical synthesis, and its constant pursuit of spiritual rebirth.
He further remarked that this universal appeal is why the Bhagavad Gita has been translated into nearly every major language, including Chinese, where it continues to inspire academic and spiritual discussions.
“The Nectar of Wisdom”: Chinese Scholars Highlight Timeless Lessons from the Gita
Professor Wang Zhi-cheng, Director of the Centre for Oriental Philosophy Research at Zhejiang University, described the Bhagavad Gita as “the nectar of wisdom.” He said Krishna’s 700 verses were “spiritual keys that have crossed millennia,” addressing the same anxieties and confusions that people face today.
Highlighting Krishna’s teachings, he explained three central paths to solving life’s dilemmas, Karma Yoga (the path of action), Sankhya Yoga (the path of knowledge), and Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion). “When you feel anxious, remember to let go of attachment to results; when you feel lost, remember to recognise your true self; and when you feel empty, remember to give more,” he said, quoting the wisdom of the Gita.
“A Light When We Are Lost”: How the Gita Transcends Time and Borders
The scholars emphasised that the Bhagavad Gita’s message of balance and harmony transcends religion and geography. Prof Wang quoted Krishna’s words, “Whenever dharma declines and adharma prevails, I manifest myself on earth,” calling them timeless reminders of moral renewal.
He explained that such wisdom acts as “a light that manifests when humanity is lost,” offering comfort in times of moral uncertainty. This, he said, is why the Gita continues to resonate deeply in modern societies, including in China, where interest in Indian thought is steadily growing.
Chinese Academics Call for Deeper Study of Indian Philosophy
Professor Yu Longyu, Director of the Centre for Indian Studies at Shenzhen University, said that India’s ancient philosophical heritage deserves greater attention in China. “India, as a great civilisation, possesses a profound cultural and philosophical depth that must be studied and preserved,” he said.
He urged Chinese scholars to follow the tradition of “threefold learning, Chinese, Western, and Indian” to contribute not only to academic understanding but also to fostering India–China harmony and global peace.
Indian Ambassador Highlights Shared Quest for Wisdom and Harmony
Welcoming the scholars, Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat said the symposium extended the Embassy’s previous event on the Ramayana.
He highlighted that India’s philosophical traditions, from Nyaya’s logic to Vedanta’s introspection, have always sought answers to universal questions about truth, reality, and freedom.
“These traditions, diverse yet unified, continue to remind us that the ultimate goal of knowledge and action is harmony, both within oneself and with the world,” Rawat said.
Inputs from PTI
Why Chinese Scholars See the Bhagavad Gita as a “Philosophical Encyclopaedia of India”
At the event, scholars described the Bhagavad Gita as a complete guide to understanding India’s spiritual and philosophical traditions. Professor Zhang Baosheng, the 88-year-old Chinese Indologist who translated the Gita into Chinese, called it a “spiritual epic and a philosophical encyclopaedia of India.” He said the scripture embodies India’s vision of duty (karma), action, and detachment, principles that continue to shape Indian society today.
Recalling his visits across India from Kanniyakumari in the south to Gorakhpur in the north during the 1980s, Prof Zhang said he felt the spiritual presence of Lord Krishna everywhere, not merely as a mythological figure, but as a living moral guide influencing Indian consciousness.
Bhagavad Gita: A Living Influence on India’s Culture and Soul
Prof Zhang described the Gita as a “cultural anthropology of the Indian soul,” noting that its teachings remain deeply embedded in daily life. He said, “It is not a remote scripture, but a living influence on Indian morality and psychology.” According to him, the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna reflects India’s ethical crises, its philosophical synthesis, and its constant pursuit of spiritual rebirth.
He further remarked that this universal appeal is why the Bhagavad Gita has been translated into nearly every major language, including Chinese, where it continues to inspire academic and spiritual discussions.
“The Nectar of Wisdom”: Chinese Scholars Highlight Timeless Lessons from the Gita
Professor Wang Zhi-cheng, Director of the Centre for Oriental Philosophy Research at Zhejiang University, described the Bhagavad Gita as “the nectar of wisdom.” He said Krishna’s 700 verses were “spiritual keys that have crossed millennia,” addressing the same anxieties and confusions that people face today.
Highlighting Krishna’s teachings, he explained three central paths to solving life’s dilemmas, Karma Yoga (the path of action), Sankhya Yoga (the path of knowledge), and Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion). “When you feel anxious, remember to let go of attachment to results; when you feel lost, remember to recognise your true self; and when you feel empty, remember to give more,” he said, quoting the wisdom of the Gita.
“A Light When We Are Lost”: How the Gita Transcends Time and Borders
The scholars emphasised that the Bhagavad Gita’s message of balance and harmony transcends religion and geography. Prof Wang quoted Krishna’s words, “Whenever dharma declines and adharma prevails, I manifest myself on earth,” calling them timeless reminders of moral renewal.
He explained that such wisdom acts as “a light that manifests when humanity is lost,” offering comfort in times of moral uncertainty. This, he said, is why the Gita continues to resonate deeply in modern societies, including in China, where interest in Indian thought is steadily growing.
Chinese Academics Call for Deeper Study of Indian Philosophy
Professor Yu Longyu, Director of the Centre for Indian Studies at Shenzhen University, said that India’s ancient philosophical heritage deserves greater attention in China. “India, as a great civilisation, possesses a profound cultural and philosophical depth that must be studied and preserved,” he said.
He urged Chinese scholars to follow the tradition of “threefold learning, Chinese, Western, and Indian” to contribute not only to academic understanding but also to fostering India–China harmony and global peace.
Indian Ambassador Highlights Shared Quest for Wisdom and Harmony
Welcoming the scholars, Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat said the symposium extended the Embassy’s previous event on the Ramayana.
He highlighted that India’s philosophical traditions, from Nyaya’s logic to Vedanta’s introspection, have always sought answers to universal questions about truth, reality, and freedom.
“These traditions, diverse yet unified, continue to remind us that the ultimate goal of knowledge and action is harmony, both within oneself and with the world,” Rawat said.
Inputs from PTI
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