Abstract:

The Controls of Seven Selfishness was one famous book written in Chinese language by the Spanish missionary P. Didace de Pantoja who came to China in 1600. It was a book on religious ethics and fully embodied with the oriental missionary policy and spirit of "moral war on heretics" established by the Society of Jesus. In his book Pantoja developed his "moral war" from the following three steps: first, catering to Confucianism; secondly, complementing Confucianism; finally, criticizing Confucianism. Pantoja's "moral war" had two characteristics, one of which was to adhere to the missionary policy of avoiding a conflict with Confucianism and the other was to adhere to the integrity of Catholic tenet. The ideas in the book corresponded with the social status quo of the late period of the Ming dynasty, which was also congested with selfish desires and out - of - order morals, so it provided a new way of thinking for those bewildered but still exploring Chinese scholars of the Ming dynasty. Accordingly, this book attracted Chinese attention as soon as it was published. Later it was reprinted again and again and became very popular in China.

Key words: P. Didace de Pantoja, The Controls of Seven Selfishness, moral war