Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t20.37

v2.c10.s2.t20.37

Tagore’s love for the Chinese civilisation could be seen in his appreciation of ancient Chinese painting. He opined that the Chinese people have created a world of beauty. That Tagore was familiar with ancient Chinese poetry could be seen in his famous volume of lectures he published in China titled *Civilization and Progress* where he cited lines and verses from the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Zi’s *Dao Dejing* several times. He believed that Chinese civilisation was full of life, and it laid a consistent focus on spirit. He also believed that Chinese literature and all other art forms of self-expression have a natural affinity with the spirit of hospitality and amicability. This gave him a great sense of home during his stay at this ancient civilisational state. As a representative of the great Indian civilisation and people, he bore in mind the timeless friendship between India and China, and he successfully completed his historical mission. At the same time, he also lived forever in the hearts of Chinese people. His friendship with the Chinese people created a new chapter in the bilateral friendship between India and China. He witnessed China’s rich and colorful heritage, traveled across China’s vast and beautiful land, meeting and made a lot of friends. Naturally, his name also spread throughout China, like a wildfire. His charisma left a deep impression on the Chinese people. Since then, many of Tagore’s works have been successively translated into Chinese, which won him generations of readers.