ARCHIMANDRITE IAKINF BICHURIN - THE ORTHODOX MISSIONARY AND RUSSIAN SINOLOGIST

(To the 150 anniversary from the date of death)

Archimandrite
Iakinf Bichurin

About three years ago, getting acquainted with new books in shop of the academic book, I have seen the new book on which reliure there was a name of the author: Iakinf Bichurin. How? - I was surprised, - really it is that Bichurin which has died in half XIX centuries, the archimandrite, the former chief of the Chinese orthodox mission in the first quarter of XIX century? Fluent survey has confirmed a guess: the book represented reprinting one of works Bichurina. What value, - it was thought to me, - should represent the scientific inheritance of the Russian scientist if and today find necessary to republish its works written more hundred years ago!

Naturally, I had an idea in printed clause of our magazine to revive memory of an outstanding Russian sinologa, received formation at the spiritual school, archimandrite served in a dignity the chief of the Chinese orthodox mission. However the changed vital circumstances have not allowed me to result my desire in the performance of. And meanwhile the scientific session took place in May, 1953 in institute of oriental studies of the Academy of sciences of the USSR, devoted to an outstanding Russian scientist-orientalist N.J.Bichurinu » in connection with day of century of its death «. In eight reports it has been full enough opened versatile and mnogoplodnaja activity Bichurina, glorified Russian name in the field of oriental studies and, in particular, in sinologii [1].

The instruction about century from the date of death Bichurina has drawn attention of scientists to the person and works of XIX century first in the middle sinologa and when it was found out, that till the latest time the assembly of its compositions has not been made, nobody was engaged in search and the edition of its manuscripts [2], scientific establishments of the Academy of sciences have started finding-out of a condition of numerous proceedings Bichurina and to reprinting most valuable of them. So recently in newspapers it has been informed that forces of scientists of Institute of ethnography of a name of N.N.mikluho of the Academy of sciences of the USSR let out with comments the new edition of remarkable work of outstanding Russian scientist-êèòàèñòà Nikita Jakovlevicha Bichurina (Iakinfa) « Assembly of data on people lived in Central Asia during ancient times » . In this message second name Bichurina is specified also: Iakinf. It is made by the way as not only all the compositions Bichurin were signed name Iakinf, but also, in general, after acceptance at 23 years age of a nunhood, by it already and in a life, remaining the monk, Nikita did not use the "wordly" name.

Kazan Spiritual
Academy where studied
ieromonah Iakinf (Bichurin)

So, and today have scientific value, are necessary for scientific work, "live", as well as 100 years ago, scientific works about. Iakinfa Bichurina. It is natural, that together with works lives among Russian public and the author, original and the outstanding personality of first half XIX century.

As though confirming the general supervision that the life of outstanding people is usually poor the external facts, and the biography about. Iakinfa Bichurina it is very poor necessary data, in spite of the fact that brief autobiographical data about. Iakinf itself has sent historian M.P.Pogodin [3].

Nikita Jakovlevich Bichurin as it called « in the world » before acceptance of a nunhood, the native of people. It was the son of the sexton. Approve, that its father on a nationality was the Chuvash [4], however, itself about. Iakinf nothing speaks about it. Father Nikita lived in village Bichurine of district Cheboksarskogo, the Kazan province. From a place of the birth the future orientalist also has received the surname "Bichurin".

Nikita Jakovlevich was born on August, 29th, 1777. Probably, the boy already was since childhood allocated with the brilliant mental faculties if its eight-year in 1785 have taken for training in the Kazan Theological seminary. In seminary it was « very gifted and inquisitive pupil with otlichnoju memory, but thus and with extreme zhivoju naturoju » [5]. Theological seminary Bichurin has ended in 1799. From a rate of seminar training it has born the general áîãîñëîâñêî-philosophical formation and good knowledge of classic languages. On-Latin it spoke fluently, as it was provided by the then seminar curriculum. Except for classic languages, Bichurin French has well studied, has got acquainted with German, but did not know English language. From school it has born umene to draw, that so it was useful to it in its employment in Beijing.

Irkutsk. Temple Vozdvizhenija
CHestnago Cross gospodnja

The excellent student, Bichurin upon termination of seminary at once has been left at it by the instructor and worked as the teacher in elementary grades inclusive before studying by pupils of poetry (liitiki). During training Bichurina in the Kazan seminary there was its transformation to academy, in 1798 [6]. During same time, in 1793, through Kazan Chinese mission Sofronija Gribovskogo among which members three were from the Kazan seminary, possibly, friends, and even Nikita Bichurina's comrades has passed. {6}

In 1800 23 years Nikita Bichurin has accepted a nunhood with name Iakinfa [7]. In 1802 about. Iakinfa, already in a dignity of archimandrite, have appointed the rector of Irkutsk seminary. There it has not got on with pupils and has been translated by the rector in the Tobolsk seminary [8]. Pedagogical work about. Iakinfa proceeded not for long: in 1807 it have called for missionary work, having appointed the chief of 9-th Chinese mission.

From the Siberian provincial solitude on responsible and a tough job the orthodox missionary and Russian scientist about. Iakinfa the Native land has called. Russian government of that time has decided to make chronologically not the first attempt to an establishment of the constant diplomatic relations with mysterious China which has been closed" for strangers, that is for all foreigners. With this purpose together with the ninth spiritual mission Russian government in 1807 wished to achieve entrance to China and to special embassy Golovkin's column. However Chineses have not started up to themselves members of embassy of Golovkin, and about. Iakinf, appointed by the chapter of the ninth spiritual Russian mission, one with the not numerous employees has arrived on January, 10th, 1808 to Beijing after polugodichnogo travel [9].

O.Iakinf has willingly agreed to go to China for 10 years of stay in the unknown country among alien people: it attracted to China not only execution of the business of orthodox mission assigned to it, but also scientific inquisitiveness inherent in it. As it expressed subsequently, one idea, that to China it will be necessary to go through Mongolia which the few vidali the eyes, admired it [10]. Certainly, even greater scientific interest should represent enormous both on the population, and on territory China having such ancient and original culture.

Father Iakinf (Bichurin).
Its image in
Time of stay in China

It is natural, that, having arrived to China, about. Iakinf « has found the vital calling » in scientific studying for the native land and, in general, Europeans of China. This high problem has entirely grasped about. Iakinfa, and it has given business of studying of China and people of Asia all life.

The history of the Beijing mission puts forward time of management of mission about. Iakinfom as a transitive epoch in a life of the Beijing mission. « From now on mission gradually leaves the thrown and pitiable condition in what was in the first 100 years of the existence » [11].

If the intellectual level of missionaries, predecessors of the ninth mission, in the majority was those, that « Chineses considered to have for great shame the teachers of the wild and uneducated people who are not known neither their ceremonial customs, nor conversations » [12], about. Iakinf with all energy and passion tried to correct this lack, having given entirely to studying of that country and people where it has been sent by the Native land. Scientific interests of studying of China and Asia also have appeared prevailing in the characteristic about. Iakinfa as Chinese missionary.

At once after the arrival to China - « for the second day » - about. Iakinf it was gave studying of a life, customs, outlooks of Chinese people, and for achievement of this purpose should learn, first of all, the Chinese language. O.Iakinf greedy searched the help in the literature on China at the Europeans studied China. It is natural, that it has addressed to figures of Catholic mission in China, to the jesuits who have strong located Beijing of years for hundred up to Russian, close having got acquainted with jesuits, about. Iakinf through them has had an opportunity to study works of their predecessors - Semedo, the Mail, Groze and others, was in rich Portuguese library of Beijing [13]. However, the data received from these sources did not satisfy about. Iakinfa. It did not wish to calm down also studying of one written Chinese language as that practised up to it the Beijing mission. The first problem of the activity in China about. Iakinf put alive and full mastering the Chinese language. The good êèòàéñêî-Russian dictionary was necessary to it, and it and was not at Russian mission.

Ambassadorial court yard
And an orthodox monastery
In Beijing

When about. Iakinf has found out, that given to it Catholic missionaries the dictionary with latin translation Bazilja de-ú½Ñ¼«¡á has essential lacks it for serious studying the Chinese language has accepted the, special way. This way consisted that in parallel with employment under dictionaries and literary works with Chinese nachetchikami about. Iakinf constantly visited streets, quarters of Beijing where always there was a big congestion of people, and there was a brisk trade. Also about. Iakinf was the tireless visitor of everything periodically arranged in greater monasteries of Beijing monthly fairs. For the best achievement of an object in view of studying of the Chinese language from lips and language practice of its creator - Chinese people, about. Iakinf considered expedient to not be allocated from national crowd that is why dared to go on streets of Beijing in the Chinese clothes. So « from street » , it is direct from speech of Chinese people collected about. Iakinf the Chinese words also studied in their understanding and a designation while for first four years of stay in China has not made for itself the small encyclopaedic dictionary upotrebitelnejshih words with Russian translation [14]. Then about. Iakinf has translated the ìàíü÷æóðî-Russian dictionary [15].

The opened scientific activity has absorbed all spiritual forces about. Iakinfa. It was gave the scientific work with exclusive love and samootverzheniem. Having checked up the forces to scientific work, about. Iakinf has set as the purpose of all life to benefit people as longly-íàó÷íûé Russian sinolog. All 13-years stay about. Iakinfa in China (from January, 10th, till May, 15th, 1821) was the intense scientific feat on versatile studying China. Having begun with work on drawing up of the Chinese dictionary for needs of the missionary activity, about. Iakinf for the period of the stay in China has grown in the first class Russian scientist, advanced and for the West-European science.

Complete immersing in a science kitaevedenija has distracted about. Iakinfa from a management of the Beijing orthodox mission. From about. Iakinfa during stay in China there was a close Russian sinolog in which image the Russian orthodox missionary was absolutely dissolved... For missionary activity the chief of mission borrowed by exclusively scientific interests, simply did not have either time, or forces. In the course of time mission has fallen into decay, and political conditions of existence caused its full neglect. And the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Over the Synod disturbing reports on a condition of the Chinese mission by virtue of which mission and was received not only is withdrawn, but also about activity of its members there was an action of proceeding of " the ninth Beijing mission » .

All has been involved in spiritual court Over the Synod survived (four has died) structure of clergy of the Beijing mission among the chief of archimandrite Iakinfa, two ieromonahov - Serafima and Arcady, ierodiakona Israel and two prichetnikov JAfitskogo and Palmovskogo. Severe and, probably, it is malicious the condensed and exaggerated charges Irkutsk general-governor Pestel showed personally Iakinfu Bichurinu. It informed, that « Iakinf conducts in Beijing a dissolute life, leaves in public places in an indecent kind and an attire, happens at theatres, taverns and in free houses, drinks, does not make services church and, in general, does not execute the duty and missionary duties » [16]. Probably, donositeli were so "zlonevezhestvenny", that studying of alien language without which knowledge the missionary simply ceased to be the missionary, represented quite possible if the monk-missionary in tightly closed kele will be engaged in it... As the Main missionary business donositeli considered probably frequent fulfilment of church services what exactly in second half of stay in Beijing and was not engaged the chief of mission... » Donositeli agreed and that accused about. Iakinfa - in beating the driver fighted comrade at presence about. Iakinfa, and also in such severe beating any old woman, that that for the third day has died... » [17]

On the basis of sharp reports of the Siberian governor and the chief of the tenth mission arhim. Peter who is not sympathized about. Iakinfu, the ninth mission was betraid to spiritual court for faulty behaviour in China and an assumption of disorders in affairs of mission [18].

The main items of charge about. Iakinfa as chief of mission were: sale (in opinion of the researcher - "doubtful") parts of an ambassadorial court yard, zaklad the some people obrochnyh clauses, appeared is available at the subsequent missions, the negligent reference with tserkovnoju utensils which part also has been incorporated, and, at last, an assumption of opening of the gambling house in a building belonged mission and given employment [19].

Trial of business in Over the Synod in 1822 « in illegal acts arhim. Iakinfa and other persons of former Beijing mission » has terminated in condemnation of the persons involved in business. Over the Synod has defined « archimandrite Iakinfa as unworthy to carry a rank of the cleric, having deprived a dignity of archimandrite, to leave under the strict supervision for ever in Valaamskom a monastery » [20].

Ieromonah Iakinf
Within the
Stay
In China

Hardly probable the Ministry for Foreign Affairs over which supervised K.V.nesselrode's columns and in charge of which there was a Beijing mission, recognized for about. Iakinfom all that sum of malicious crimes on which informed Pestel, Treskin and arhim. Peter. The attitude to about. Iakinfu as to the subordinated official, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs just also showed, that it does not recognize behind it criminal acts, and is only compelled to reckon with its charge sinodskim the decision in church crimes. Certainly, not for the criminal, and for the outstanding employee and the scientist Minister for Foreign Affairs K.V.nessedrode petitioned before sovereign Alexander I. Minister of spiritual affairs and national education prince A.N.Golitsyn on August, 27th, 1823 has informed On result of this petition of K.V.nesselrode to it, that its majesty has deigned on reduction the decision the Synod condemning arhim. Iakinfa for different offences with which it has saddened the dignity, on deprivation of this dignity, with sending for ever in a monastery, not recognizing fair to render indulgence to its works in easing laws when and in civil service vicious persons » [21] should not be tolerant.

Presently, after 132 years from the sensational business of the ninth Chinese mission, a crime of members of this mission and its chief about. Iakinfa Bichurina are represented in other light.

On what could count the secular and spiritual heads, sending the ninth mission in China? The documents which have Kept from that time prove, that it was impossible to assign any wide hopes and to wait for consolatory results from work of mission about. Iakinfa. Its mission worked not only in the best, but, owing to events in Russia, even in the worst conditions.

In the beginning of XIX century not only Russian, but also other Christian missions, worked in the "closed" China with greater difficulties and made very small success. If to become interested in possible scope of missionary work of Russian it is necessary to be surprised to extraordinary small volume of this work. It appears, missionaries not only should limit the sermon to territory of city of Beijing, but single instances of the reference of Chineses in Orthodoxy could expect them only. Actually Russian orthodox missions were sent not for the direct purpose of the reference of Chineses to christianity, but for satisfaction of religious needs so-called "albazintsev". Under this name in China descendants of the Russian which have appeared in Beijing since very ancient times were known.

The remark of the Russian historian is true, that « Russian spirit long since soared in « celestial empire » . Russia and Russian were well-known in the Chinese monuments of the Mongolian period. Mongols in the whole thousand resulted captured Russians so in the beginning of XIV century of the last was much in guards bogdyhana » [22] to China. Certainly, these captured Russian during centuries were dissolved at huge ocean of the Chinese nation. The destiny albazintsev has appeared a little other.

Albazintsy have appeared in Beijing in 1685. It were captured cossacks from fortress Albazii which was constructed by cossacks of team Habarova on r. A cupid. In the beginning of 80th years of XVII century on the Cupid send Chineses who have destroyed Russian boundary fortress, and its inhabitants have withdrawn to China. The Chinese government has given sufficient material opportunities for a labour life captured, together with the full civil rights. However it is fast enough albazintsy have acquired bad household habits of Chineses besides being provided and full, they have started to show wide « Russian nature » in wilfulness and excesses. Then the Chinese government has given descendants albazintsev in soldiers and even subjected to dispatches from Beijing. Married to Chinese women, by XIX century albazintsy absolutely wandered and, except for an appearance, Russian in them nothing remains » [23].

Before about. Iakinfom predstala a handful of descendants of Russian, in a typical kind albazintsev, considering with the hereditary duty and employment service in guards Chinese bogdyhana and consequently ignorant any craft, contemptiously concerned any work and employment.

Well understanding, that albazintsam fast and full national degeneration, Russian government threatens and put a problem before spiritual mission in China to support albazintsev not only spiritually in national-orthodox spirit, but also is material. Such work first five years of the existence in China also was born with orthodox mission about. Iakinfa. It supported in albazintsah Orthodoxy fulfilment of divine service, execution treb, the sermon, and also supported them while at it money resources were not exhausted.

What scope of missionary activity could be about. Iakinfa? What results could be expected from its mission?

Temple of Orthodox mission in
Beijing. A photo of 1930th

It appears, that, except for descendants albazintsev, orthodox, that is the Chineses turned into christianity were not in a little significant majority neither up to it, nor at it, is direct after it. So the small herd orthodox albazintsev in 1810 was defined all in 35 person, per 1820 it has lowered up to 22 person. The successor and the enemy about. Iakinfa arhim. Peter has managed to christen only 53 albazintsa whereas 44 and have remained nekreshchennymi, as gave the general number albazintsev nearby 100 person oboego a floor, lived in 16 court yard [24]. If to pay attention to a sad case when one of progenitrixes of the ninth mission, mission Amvrosija JUmatova, being is detained because of neprisylki changes from Russia, all has laid down kostmi in the another's country [25], - that becomes inevitable a conclusion about extraordinary difficulties of work of orthodox mission in China in XVIII both in first half XIX centuries and about impossibility to expect from its work of brilliant results.

Of absence of such results also have accused mission about. Iakinfa, intentionally having forgotten, in what conditions it was necessary to be missions last 5-6 years.

In the beginning of the activity mission has received the means put on staff in the advance payment for 5 years of coming work. And then the ruling Petersburg has forgotten about the Chinese mission, entirely absorbed by struggle against Napoleon. War of 1812 and a campaign to the Europe of 1813-1815 demanded the intense concentration of all spiritual and material means of Russia. The Chinese mission has remained absolutely without means. As it was possible to think of daily divine service, about repair of a temple, about church utensils when members of mission in full sense starved and besieged about. Iakinfa the requirement of money. Not receiving them from the chief, members of mission have borrowed in collateral earnings if only to extract to themselves livelihood. Unique means of the maintenance of starving members of mission were the annual monetary and natural grant of the Chinese government, however it was obviously insufficient. Mission has come to full decline, in it departure of divine service behind full absence bogomoltsev, as deprived means has stopped about. Iakinf could not « support christianity among albazintsev without monetary podachek it » [26].

Having left direct business, mission behind full impossibility of its continuation, about. Iakinf with all energy and resoluteness of the character has addressed to research of means for maintenance of existence of the members of mission entrusted to its care. With this purpose it has borrowed money from usurers, has put in pawn a part of the church ground and church utensils, something from property of mission rasprodal, has resolved one of buildings of mission to lease under the gambling house. The horror of the successor is clear about. Iakinfa, seen full frustration and disintegration of mission, but its unwillingness to penetrate into the reasons of decline of activity of mission is not clear, to understand extraordinary difficulties of the chief of the mission put in necessity or to remain with property of mission, but without people, go to renounce dead subjects, to keep alive people of mission.

In Petersburg should know, how rank-and-file members not only missions have badly been prepared for the difficult missionary service in China about. Iakinfa, but also, in general, our Chinese missions. Having very limited circle of activity in the form of fulfilment of divine service for small praying, members of mission had a lot of free time. Not having neither high intellectual interests, nor persistence and patience for overcoming difficulties of studying of the Chinese language, members of mission, at all excepting and the students of mission attached by it for special employment sinologiej, plunged into "anomalies" of a life which were defined both Russian, and the Chinese heads as « laziness, drunkenness and others rasputstva » . In boundary Kyakhta the Chinese official in 1817 complained to Russian, that Russian were sent to Beijing « people without behaviour » [27].

The more surprisingly and more brightly there is before us a personal scientific feat about. Iakinfa in China as a result of which the chief of orthodox Chinese mission has become the well-known Russian sinologom, having deserved at the same time censure and condemnation as the spiritual chapter of mission. Hardly probable kitaeveda it is possible to explain such transformation of Russian archimandrite into the scientist to that about. Iakinf was « not religious missionary » as the modern Soviet researcher [28] is expressed.

Such statement, setting an example impossible for the beginning XIX centuries of an inconsistent combination of concepts, contradicts also to those data which we have as about an initial stage of activity about. Iakinfa, and about last scientific period of its life in Petersburg.

1953 Year

Continuation follows

Notes:

To the maintenance of number