The Shilu
- Discussion on proofs of the true religion.
- On the existence of an Infinite being, principle of all things
- Talking about Things Infinite4. On the nature of the Earth
- About the reality of earthly things
- On the plants of the Earth and other vegetables
- On the things of the Animal Kingdom
- On how the animals know what they should eat and drink
- On how the animals of the world know they medicines they should take
In this text, Cobo encountered challenges translating Spanish terms and concepts into Chinese. Here, instead of looking for just for existing terms in Chinese, Cobo apparently coined new terms, but also using sound and borrowing from Buddhism. Here are some examples:
Dios (God); Cobo translated as Tianzhu天主 (Lord of the Heaven) and Liaoshi 寮氏 (taken from Hokkien liosi, which in term was taken from the Portuguese Deus)Jehova; Cobo translated into Yaomu 遙目 (Hokkien Lo Bak—respected white elder?)Jesus; Cobo translated into Xishi 西士 (respected Westerner; a bit of sound and a bit of meaning)Angel; Cobo translated into Tianshen 天神 (Heavenly Spirit)Cielo (Heaven); Cobo translated into Tiantang 天堂 (Heavenly Hall)Iglesia (Church); Cobo translated into Miao 廟(here borrowing the Buddhist and Taoist term for a simple temple)Sacerdote (Priest); Cobo translated into Heshan 和尚, Seng or Sengshi 僧師 (Buddhist monk)，or Bali 巴里(from Spanish Padre (Father)Obispo (Bishop); Cobo translated into Heshang Wang 和尚王(Head Monk), or 巴里王 (Head Padre)Infinite, or Infinite God; Cobo translated into Wuji 無極 (no final point; no end) and Taiji 太極 (exceeding final point)
(Sources: Villarroel; Chan)
From the scientific point of view, Chapter 4, “On the Nature of the Earth” 論地理之事情 (or “On Matters of Geography,” “On the Earth Sciences”) is the most significant. Here Cobo introduces the European cosmological system of the times. Based on the concept of geocentric cosmology, this image was the first representation of European astronomy to enter into the Chinese cultural sphere.
From the scientific point of view, Chapter 4, “On the Nature of the Earth” 論地理之事情 (or “On Matters of Geography,” “On the Earth Sciences”) is the most significant. Here Cobo introduces the European cosmological system of the times. Based on the concept of geocentric cosmology, this image was the first representation of European astronomy to enter into the Chinese cultural sphere.
Cobo also offers the first clear expression of the roundness of the Earth even written in Chinese, and offers several arguments to prove the point. In addition, four folios containing scientific illustrations are inserted. [click here for Cobo's drawings]
Some of the arguments Cobo offered as proof do not seem very logical to us today, but one is valid and very reasonable. A lunar eclipse is caused by the shadow of the earth on the lunar surface, and since that shadow is always round, the argument goes, our planet must be round. One of the illustrations demonstrate this argument.
The concluding two chapters of this impressive opus are curious, even humorous, and full of playful illustrations: “On how animals know what they should eat and drink,” and “On how the animals of the world know the medicines they must take.” [Click here to see more images]
