http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2009-December/186627.html
It was at Malacca that Francis came to know about Japan, as he himself states: "When I was in the city of Malacca, some Portuguese merchants of high standing brought me great news of certain very large islands recently discovered to the East, called the islands of Japan. In the opinion of these men, there would be better opportunities for the increase of our holy Faith there than anywhere in India, because the people have an eager desire for knowledge and instruction, which is not the case with the Indians" (Epistulae Xavierii, I.391-392, quoted in P.Rayanna, The Life of St.Francis Xavier, p.116). He could see the difference between the Indians and the Japanese. He found the Indians, particularly the "Brahmans", cunning, exploiting the poor people, whereas the Japanese were simple and more responsive (cf. The Letters and Instruction of Francis Xavier, trans.by M.Joseph Costelloe, Sj, p.69, in a letter written to companions living in Rome from Cochin, on January 15, 1544; G. Schurhammer, Francis Xavier. His Life, His Times, II, 406-410; Monumenta Missionum Societatis Jesu, Epistulae St.Francisci Xavierii, Aliaque Eius Scripta, I, 160-167). ============================================================ Francis Xavier found the Indians, particularly the "Brahmans", cunning, exploiting the poor people, whereas the Japanese were simple and more responsive. Has History proved Francis Xavier wrong? -- Shrikant Vinayak Barve 2451143/9403175973
