Ji Xianlin, one of China's greatest scholars of history, ancient languages and culture, passed away at the age of 98 last Saturday. Well-versed in 12 foreign languages, Ji was known as "master in traditional Chinese culture". He was also China's greatest Indian language and culture expert. Ji taught at the prestigious Peking University for many decades and was a former deputy president of the university. 

He Fei reviews the life of this iconic scholar who impacted society and many generations.

Ji Xianlin (Left) with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao [Photo: sina.com.cn]

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help crying.
For so long I have been moved by his articles and writings. He was an inspiration in my life. I am very grateful to him.
I am very sad. I admired Mr Ji very much.
We are here to mourn for him and we hope he can have a safe journey to heaven.

Many people gathered at Peking University, where Ji Xianlin spent most of his life working and living, mourning for Ji Xianlin's death. They included not only his students but also his fans from different fields.

Ji Xianlin was China's greatest scholar of ancient Indian languages and culture. He not only discovered Buddhism's migration from India to China, but also highlighted the spread of paper and silk-making from China to India. He even translated Ramayana, one of the two major Indian Sanskrit epics, into Chinese by retaining its poetry format.

Besides translation, Ji Xianlin wrote seven books about India. His "Ji Xianlin Collection" consists of 24 volumes and is a comprehensive summary of ancient Indian languages and culture.

As founder of the Department of Eastern Languages in Peking University, Ji Xianlin was a pioneer in the field of Eastern studies in China. Peking University is China's only school which teaches Sanskrit, and by doing so, is cultivating the spread of the mysterious ancient Indian culture.

Ji Xianlin stressed he did not regret his choice.

"I think my work is, as an academic, is useful to our country. Being valuable to the country is very important. It doesn't matter if the subject you study is not popular. The point is whether you can study it well or not."

Ji Xianlin's unparalleled achievements led to his election as commissioner of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China's top institute in academic circles. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the government for his contributions to the field of translation. Furthermore, the Ji Xianlin Research Institute in Beijing was established to continue his research.

In 1999, Ji Xianlin's contributions to enhancing Sino-Indian relations earned him the title of honorary commissioner of the National Academy of Literature in India, the leading literature academy in the country. He is the only Asian to have ever received this honour.

K Satchidanandan, secretary-general of the academy, made these comments prior to Ji Xianlin's death.

"Ji Xianlin is one of the most renowned scholars of Sanskrit anywhere in the world today. You can't describe him as a mere Chinese scholar or somebody who has contributed to Sanskrit in India, but somebody who has contributed to the whole human race, especially in the 20th century of wars, battles and bloodshed. He is someone who understands cultures and brings people together; who crosses the borders of knowledge; and who does not care for the various kinds of differences and prohibitions."

Ji Xianlin came a long way to achieve such success.

Born on August 6, 1911 in Linqing city in Northern China's Shandong province, Ji Xianlin started studying English at the age of 10. His love of German began when he entered senior high school. At the age of 19, he was admitted to Tsinghua University, one of China's leading universities, to major in Western literature. Through hard work, he was given the chance to go to Gottingen University in Germany as an exchange student. And it was there he switched his interest to eastern literature. Sanskrit has a close relation with Chinese literature, so he chose to major in this lesser-known ancient language.

Ji Xianlin returned to China in 1946 with a PhD and quickly became a professor in Peking University. His long career studying ancient Indian languages and culture had started. He cultivated several generations of students, who carry on his dream of spreading understanding of eastern cultures.

Besides being a prestigious scholar, Ji Xianlin was also respected for his moral values, character, and personality. He led a simple life, wore bleached khaki suits and cloth shoes, and carried an old leather schoolbag. He treated people from all walks of life with equal respect and sincerity.

Gao Hong, one of Ji Xianlin's students, is a member of Ji Xianlin's teaching unit. He gave up his chance to go abroad after graduation to stay with his teacher.

"The reason we didn't leave Mr. Ji is that we were deeply attracted by his personal glamour, in both his academic work and his daily life. I thought we could learn more by staying with him than by going abroad."

Ji Xianlin was also a Chinese linguist, historian, and writer. He served as chairman of the Chinese Language Society, a professional organization in the Chinese field. He published 11 academic books and over 200 papers in more than ten academic fields, including Chinese culture and comparative literature.

He was the initiator for the revival of Chinese comparative literature and contributed a lot to its development. Moreover, he was committed to saving and preserving ancient Chinese books and compiling many ancient Chinese masterpieces.

98 year-old Ji Xianlin passed away peacefully after his long and rich life. However, his spirit and enthusiasm for reading and writing, and his extraordinary contribution to Chinese culture, will forever live on.

For China Now, I'm He Fei.