文明传承与交流的灯塔：《爱与勇气》的出版意义|love|拉达|方增先|灯塔|爱与勇气|翻译|邢庆仁

笔墨Gallery | 爱与勇气跨年展视频

文明传承与交流的灯塔

——《爱与勇气：印度思想家斯瓦米·辨喜传》的出版意义

从宏观视角审视，图书出版无疑是人类文明传承的核心枢纽与关键载体。它宛如一座神奇的桥梁，将人类的思想、文化与技艺精心固化，转化为可跨越时空界限的实物形态。凭借这一特质，知识得以挣脱个体的局限，在代际之间顺畅传递，生生不息。即便在数字浪潮汹涌澎湃的时代，优质图书依然稳如文化传承的坚固锚点，有效防止珍贵的精神财富因传播介质的不断迭代而如过眼云烟般消散。

同时，图书出版也是文化交流的广阔桥梁，它以无与伦比的包容性，打破地域与文明的重重壁垒，推动多元文化相互交融、共同发展。不仅如此，它还肩负着文化宣传与价值引导的重要社会职能，在潜移默化中塑造着社会的精神风貌与价值取向。

《爱与勇气：印度思想家斯瓦米·辨喜传》的惊艳问世，恰似一颗璀璨的星辰，生动而深刻地诠释了出版的非凡意义。

一、选本精妙，可读性跃然纸上

从选本层面来看，本书具备极强的可读性，主要体现在以下四个方面：其一，篇幅恰到好处。有关辨喜的传记，在全球范围内已涌现出多个版本。本书作为中篇传记，巧妙地与长篇、短篇传记形成互补之势，既避免了长篇传记的冗长拖沓，又克服了短篇传记的简略仓促，为读者提供了一个恰到好处的阅读长度。

其二，语言通俗易懂。与罗曼·罗兰等外国学者不同，本书作者斯瓦米·尼基拉南达作为著名印度学者，同时也是神圣母亲室利·莎拉达·黛维的亲传弟子，凭借对印度文化的精准把握和对辨喜思想的独到解读，以大众能够轻松理解的语言，生动鲜活地展现了辨喜波澜壮阔的一生，让读者仿佛置身于辨喜的时代，亲身感受他的思想光芒。

其三，描述精湛入微。本书文辞典丽，如同一幅细腻的画卷，将辨喜的思想与生平事迹完美融合。从早期的青涩岁月，到行脚四方的传奇生涯，书中将辨喜思想发展过程中的每一个重要节点，都与他生平中那些风起云涌的重大事迹紧密相连，让读者清晰地看到辨喜思想如何在岁月的磨砺中逐渐成熟、升华。

其四，翻译巧妙绝伦。本书由中国美术学院教授闻中精心翻译。闻老师凭借扎实的学术功底、严谨的学术态度，以及对印度文化、吠檀多哲学及瑜伽等领域的深刻理解，再加上炉火纯青的翻译技巧，不仅将原著内容翻译得“信、达、雅”，还结合欧美世界的版本，进行了巧妙的补译和增译。同时，对于一些特定的事件和概念，他也做了详尽的注解，为读者扫除了阅读障碍，使读者能够更加深入地理解原著的精髓。

二、推动交流，客观审视印度文化

本书在中印文化交流领域，尤其是引导国人客观看待印度方面，发挥着积极而重要的推动作用。在数字时代，信息传播渠道日益多元化，然而，由于各种因素的影响，人们接收到的信息往往存在片面性和主观性等缺陷。以有关印度的报道为例，以下几个方面常常成为吸引国人眼球的焦点：一是环境恶劣、人民生活水平低下，给人留下“脏、乱、差”的印象；二是社会不平等现象严重，“种姓制度”依然根深蒂固，印度女性的社会地位和权利令人担忧；三是缺乏“契约精神”，印度政府通过修订法律法规，公开、“合理”地掠夺外商利益。

与之形成鲜明对比的是，印度的优秀传统文化，尤其是那些对推动人类社会发展起到重要作用的思想，以及在东西方文明互鉴中发挥桥梁作用的人物，却很难走进国人的日常生活。正如本书译者所指出的，看待一个国家或民族，应从其“高峰”入手，同时兼顾社会现实，这样才能避免以偏概全，才能全面、客观地认识一个国家或民族的真实面貌。本书的出版，无疑为国人提供了一个深入了解印度优秀文化和伟大人物的窗口，有助于打破对印度的片面认知，促进中印文化的相互理解与交流。

三、助力本土化，推动思想融合发展

本书还期望在辨喜思想的本土化进程中贡献一份微薄之力。华夏文明之所以能够在几千年的历史长河中绵延不绝，始终对外来文化保持开放包容的态度，并善于吸收外来文化的精髓来充实、发展和改革自身文化，是一个至关重要的原因。从这个意义上讲，如何使被印度及西方世界广泛认可的辨喜思想巧妙地融入华夏文明，是我们面临的一项重要课题。

笔墨Gallery围绕本书举办的跨年展，无疑是一次极具开创性和深远意义的尝试。本次跨年展以“爱与勇气”为主题，通过邀请国内知名艺术家及其作品参展的方式，深入探讨和诠释艺术的真谛、提高艺术修为和境界的方法等重要问题。在辨喜思想与当代中国艺术的碰撞与交融中，正如策展人所言：“爱与勇气的精神，不仅为性灵的修炼指明道路，亦为艺术的创作注入沉稳而崇高的力量。在真正的艺术中，技巧终将退居其次，而爱与勇气所催生的真诚与洞察，才能让作品超越形式的局限，直抵人心。”

希望以此次跨年展为契机，社会各界能够举办更多类似的活动，共同推动辨喜思想的本土化进程，让辨喜思想在华夏大地上绽放出更加绚烂的光彩，为中华文化的繁荣发展注入新的活力。

上海社会科学院出版社重大项目部朱敏明

2026年1月27日

朱敏明，早稻田大学政治学研究科博士研究生，现就职于上海社会科学院出版社重大项目部，《爱与勇气：印度思想家斯瓦米·辨喜传》责编，主持策划“南通大学人文社科前沿研究”，参与策划“‘走出去’的中国经典”等大型系列丛书。

闻中：中国美术学院教授、博士生导师，中国美术学院艺术学学科建设委员会委员，曾孤身漫游于喜马拉雅山南麓的森林，追随印度僧人修习印度哲学。兼任浙江省老子研究会副会长，大型文化丛书《梵澄译丛》主编，出版著作《从大吉岭到克什米尔》等20余种。

Wen Zhong:Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the China Academy of Art; Member of the Art Discipline Development Committee of the China Academy of Art. He once traveled alone through the forests at the southern foot of the Himalayas, studying Indian philosophy under the guidance of Indian monks. He also serves as Vice President of the Zhejiang Laozi Research Association and Editor-in-Chief of a comprehensive book Editions titled

Fan Cheng Translation Collection

. He has published over 20 works, including

From Darjeeling to Kashmir

A Beacon for the Inheritance and Exchange of Civilization

—The Significance of Publishing Love and Valour: A Biography of the Indian Thinker Swami Vivekananda

From a macro perspective, book publishing is undeniably the core hub and key vehicle for the inheritance of human civilization. It acts like a magical bridge, meticulously solidifying human thought, culture, and craftsmanship into tangible forms that transcend the boundaries of time and space. Thanks to this unique characteristic, knowledge is able to break free from the limitations of individuals, flowing seamlessly across generations and perpetuating endlessly. Even in an era dominated by the surging waves of digitalization, high-quality books remain steadfast as anchors of cultural heritage, effectively preventing invaluable spiritual treasures from dissipating like fleeting shadows amidst the constant evolution of dissemination media.

At the same time, book publishing serves as a broad bridge for cultural exchange, breaking down barriers of geography and civilization with unparalleled inclusivity, and fostering the integration and mutual development of diverse cultures. Furthermore, it shoulders the important social functions of cultural advocacy and value guidance, subtly shaping the spiritual ethos and value orientation of society.

The stunning release of Love and Valour: A Biography of the Indian Thinker Swami Vivekananda is akin to a brilliant star, vividly and profoundly illustrating the extraordinary significance of publishing.

I. A Masterful Selection, Readability That Leaps Off the Page

In terms of its selection, this book exhibits exceptional readability, which is reflected in four key aspects:First,its length is just right. Numerous biographies of Vivekananda have been published worldwide. As a medium-length biography, this book skillfully complements both lengthy and short biographies, avoiding the verbosity of the former and the oversimplification of the latter, offering readers a perfectly balanced reading experience.

Second,its language is accessible. Unlike foreign scholars such as Romain Rolland, the author of this book, Swami Nikhilananda—a renowned Indian scholar and a direct disciple of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi—draws on his precise grasp of Indian culture and unique interpretation of Vivekananda’s thoughts. Using language easily understood by the general public, he vividly portrays Vivekananda’s extraordinary life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Vivekananda’s era and experience the brilliance of his thoughts firsthand.

Third,its descriptions are exquisite and meticulous. The book’s elegant prose resembles a finely detailed painting, seamlessly integrating Vivekananda’s thoughts and life events. From his early formative years to his legendary travels across the land, every pivotal moment in the development of Vivekananda’s thoughts is intricately linked to the significant events of his life, enabling readers to clearly see how his ideas matured and transcended through the passage of time.

Fourth,its translation is masterful. The book has been meticulously translated by Professor Wen Zhong from the China Academy of Art. With his solid academic foundation, rigorous scholarly attitude, deep understanding of Indian culture, Vedanta philosophy, and yoga, as well as his exceptional translation skills, Professor Wen has not only rendered the original content with “faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance” but has also skillfully supplemented and expanded upon it by referencing versions from the Western world. Additionally, he has provided detailed annotations for specific events and concepts, removing reading barriers and enabling readers to delve deeper into the essence of the original work.

II. Fostering Exchange, Promoting an Objective View of Indian Culture

This book plays an active and significant role in advancing cultural exchange between China and India, particularly in guiding the Chinese public to view India objectively. In the digital age, while channels of information dissemination have become increasingly diverse, the information people receive is often fragmented and subjective due to various influencing factors. For instance, reports about India frequently highlight the following aspects, which tend to capture public attention in China:First,environmental degradation and low living standards, creating an impression of “dirtiness, disorder, and backwardness.”Second,severe social inequality, with the “caste system” remaining deeply entrenched, and the social status and rights of Indian women raising concerns.Third,a perceived lack of “contractual spirit,” as the Indian government has been known to revise laws and regulations, openly and “justifiably” appropriating the interests of foreign investors.

In stark contrast, India’s outstanding traditional culture, especially the ideas that have played a crucial role in advancing human societal development, as well as figures who have served as bridges in the mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations, rarely permeate the daily lives of the Chinese public. As the translator of this book points out, understanding a country or nation should begin with its “peaks,”while also considering social realities, to avoid generalizations and achieve a comprehensive, objective understanding of a country or nation’s true essence. The publication of this book undoubtedly provides a window for the Chinese public to gain a deeper understanding of India’s excellent culture and great figures, helping to break down one-sided perceptions of India and promote mutual understanding and exchange between Chinese and Indian cultures.

III. Facilitating Localization, Promoting the Integration and Development of Ideas

This book also aims to contribute modestly to the localization of Vivekananda’s thoughts in China. A crucial reason why Chinese civilization has endured uninterrupted for thousands of years is its consistent openness and inclusivity toward foreign cultures, as well as its ability to absorb the essence of external cultures to enrich, develop, and reform its own. In this sense, how to skillfully integrate Vivekananda’s thoughts—widely recognized in India and the Western world—into Chinese civilization is an important task we face.

The New Year’s exhibition organized by Ink Gallery centered around this book is undoubtedly a pioneering and profoundly meaningful attempt. With the theme “Love and Valour,” this exhibition invites renowned domestic artists and their works to explore and interpret critical issues such as the true essence of art and methods to elevate artistic cultivation and realm. In the collision and fusion of Vivekananda’s thoughts with contemporary Chinese art, as the curator aptly states: “The spirit of love and valour not only illuminates the path for spiritual cultivation but also infuses artistic creation with a steady and lofty force. In true art, technique ultimately takes a back seat, while the sincerity and insight born of love and valour enable a work to transcend formal limitations and touch the human heart directly.”

It is hoped that this New Year’s exhibition will serve as a catalyst for more similar activities across various sectors of society, collectively advancing the localization of Vivekananda’s thoughts. May Vivekananda’s ideas blossom with even more radiant brilliance on Chinese soil, injecting new vitality into the prosperity and development of Chinese culture.

Zhu Minming

Major Projects Department

Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press

January 27, 2026

Zhu Minmingis a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate School of Political Science at Waseda University and currently works in the Major Project Department of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press. She serves as the editor in charge of the book

Love and Valour

A Bio

graphy

of the Indian Thinker Swami Vivekananda,

spearheaded the planning of the Frontier Research Series in Humanities and Social Sciences at Nantong University , and contrib uted to the planning of large-scale book series such as "Chinese Classics Going Global".