400th birthday of Johann Adam Schall von Bell - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1992 - 140 Pfennig

Johann Adam Schall von Bell was born on 1 May 1592 as second son of Heinrich Degenhard Schall from Lüftelberg near Bonn and his fourth wife Maria Scheiffart of Merode. After attending the Dreikronengymnasium in Cologne, he began 16 years of extensive studies in the Collegium Germanicum in Rome. In 1611 he entered the Jesuit order and studied at the Collegio Romano theology and natural sciences, especially astronomy. The Jesuits of the Collegio Romano were u. a. Through her connections to Galileo Galilei and other leading scientists of her time, she has held an outstanding position in mathematics and astronomy. When, in 1615, the Commissioner for Proclamation, Nicolas Trigault SJ, came to Rome to recruit missionaries with science education for the China mission, he awakened in Schall the desire to go to China as a missionary. Because of his scientific education, he received permission and reached with Trigault and other Jesuits after a dangerous voyage in 1619 Macao. It was not until the end of the 16th century that the pioneer of the China mission, Matteo Ricci SJ, succeeded in entering the Chinese empire, which until then had been closed to all foreigners. On the basis of his profound scientific and technical knowledge and the way he developed for mission in China, which met the Chinese culture and way of life within certain limits, the so-called accommodation method, he gained a high reputation among the scholars of the country; his successful work should be continued by scientifically gifted missionaries. Initially Adam Schall worked as a missionary in Beijing and Sian until 1630 under his newly adopted Chinese name T'ang Jo-wang, where he perfected his language skills. Then he was called to Beijing as an astronomer, where the Imperial Rites had entrusted the Jesuits with the long overdue revision of the Chinese calendar. The "Chinese calendar" was an important official document. According to the Chinese view, the proper prediction of astronomical events (solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, etc.) depended on the well-being of the entire empire. But the calendar had become increasingly unreliable over time and the empire seemed endangered. Under the direction of sound, the astronomical encyclopedia was created with 150 essays in collaboration with Chinese scientists and presented to the emperor in 1634. The new, correct calendar increased its reputation; He was also known by the development and construction of cannons against the invading Manchus. It was probably due to his influence that the Christian community of Beijing in 1644 survived the fall of the Ming Dynasty unscathed, since the new Manchu dynasty (1644-1911) needed the calendar to legitimize their rule. Under the Manchu sound was immediately appointed director of the Astronomical Office. 1650-1652 he was allowed to build the first Christian church in Beijing. The young Emperor Shun-chih worshiped Schall as his fatherly friend and adviser. As an outward sign of his favor, he gave Schall and his ancestors the right to become Mandarin First Class. Thus Adam Schall had received honor in the ancient Chinese realm of the earth like no foreigner before or after him. After the early death of the young emperor, Schall was accused of high treason by xenophobic Chinese and sentenced to death in 1665. Sudden natural catastrophes and the intervention of the old Empress Dowager led to the lifting of the execution and saved his life's work. When the Jesuit died on 15 August 1666, his brother Ferdinand Verbiest became successor in the Astronomical Office. He achieved with Emperor K'ang-hsi the rehabilitation of his predecessor, whose memory has remained alive in China to this day. His grave in Beijing is well preserved. T'ang Jo-wang was the first European to head the important Astronomical Office in Beijing, which remained in the hands of the Jesuits from then until the end of the 18th century. Under two dynasties he achieved prestige and high dignity thanks to his skill and personality. His services to the research and unselfish transmission of his scientific and economic knowledge were recognized by the relevant government agencies of his time. The successes of the mission in China would hardly have been possible without him. As a link between Europe and China, with Matteo Ricci he is one of the most important proponents of the accommodation method in China and one of the outstanding figures in the history of mission. (Text: Dr. Claudia von Collani (Würzburg), preparatory committee for the 400th birthday of Johann Adam Schall of Bell SJ in 1992)