清代中後期來華西方人的海幢寺印象與宗教文化觀念

Hai-chwang-sze was built in Guangzhou in the late Ming Dynasty. After its full expansion in the early Qing Dynasty, it coincided with the rise of Sino-Western trade. To prevent the “foreigners”, Hai-chwang-sze became a place of touring for foreign businessmen. Hai-chwang-sze rose to fame in Western countries and attracted more Westerners to come to the fore for its reception of merchants and envoys in the middle and late Qing Dynasty. The description of Hai-chwang-sze by Western merchants, diplomats, missionaries, painters and other groups has shaped complex and diverse image of Hai-chwang-sze in Western countries, making it a window for them to understand China. However, due to their inherent religious identity, westerners hold prejudice against the religious landscape, rituals, beliefs, and thoughts of Hai-chwang-sze. The prejudice did affect the exchanges between China and Western countries, but meanwhile provided a theoretical basis for starting missionary work in China.