True to their analytic tradition, the Greeks had at least five different words for love: αγάπη, ερως, φιλία, στοργή and θέλημα. Such a phenomenon shows that the Greeks were able to label different forms of emotions and actions with different words. It does not necessarily imply that the Greek mind was sharper in differentiation.
Unlike Westerners, Chinese seldom make use of the word love in their social intercourse. Does it mean the Chinese mind is less sophisticated in dealing with emotional issues? Not necessarily. Rather, Chinese are very specific in describing and prescribing all interpersonal relationships.
For parental love, the word is 「慈」. For example, we have 「慈母」to describe a loving mother. In order to highlight the loving aspect, the term is expanded to 「慈愛」. To describe the love parents bestow on children, it is specifically described as the benevolence of raising one up 「養育之恩」.
Between brothers, the term is 「兄友弟恭」, roughly translated as elder brothers should be friendly and younger brothers respectful. So, fraternal love is specifically stipulated as a friendly and respectful interaction between siblings.
What about husbands and wives? Surely, you expect to find a lot of love between a couple, right? You will be disappointed to find that intimacy is unheard of in the description of marital relationship. You may argue that the Chinese Psalm 【詩經】begins with dating because Chinese attach great importance to family. Still, "a husband sings and his wife follows 夫唱婦隨" is the standard phrase to describe a harmonious relationship between the husband and wife. Of course, there are many other romantic poems and sonnets but I am afraid words of love and intimacy are wanting. So, some scholars tease the Chinese that they don't talk "love". They make it only. Does such a cultural peculiarity pose any difficulties for missionaries to preach Chinese the love of God?
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus today. It had been a private devotion since 11th and 12th century and took seven more centuries before Pope Pius IX extended this devotion to the universal church in 1856. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) was instrumental in spreading this devotion. Here, the Sacred Heart symbolizes the love of Jesus for us. In particular, we can clearly see a wound on this heart. It was caused by the spear a soldier used to pierce the side of Jesus during his crucifixion to make sure that Jesus actually died (John 19:34). The Sacred Heart is a very powerful expressive symbol to point to the love of Jesus, the love of God for mankind. To be precise, it is a love despised and outraged. Jesus, the Son of God, poured out his life for us. Yet, this love has been despised by many since the moment he was nailed on the cross. Therefore, the key element of this devotion to the Sacred Heart is the reciprocation of love, to return love for his despised love 「以愛還愛，以心體心」. Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart is expressed by acts of atonement and reparation.
Does this Sacred Heart ring in the Chinese culture?
I am afraid not. The heart is not the seat of love in the Chinese tradition. It is roughly equivalent to the mind. For example, the Major Study 大學 discusses the procedure of character formation of a person in this way.
格物、致知、誠意、正心、修身、齊家、治國、平天下。【大學】The word heart is more like the mind than the seat of love.
Indian Buddhism underwent a metamorphosis in the Chinese soil. In return, the Chinese culture absorbs a lot of Buddhist elements. Therefore, when Chinese talk about the heart, they may not be talking about the Confucian heart, but the Buddhist heart which is the collection of all consciousness. It is a collection of perceptions, thoughts, desires, cares etc. Again, it is not the seat of love. In order to discern the true nature of man, his heart, this collection of consciousness needs to be enlightened 「明心見性」. Love is nowhere to be seen. Woe to us Chinese, we don't have the concept of this particular brand of love. Chinese are even more stubborn than the Israelites who have repeatedly rejected God's love. Luckily, in the epistles written by St. Paul (e.g. 1 Corinthians 13) and St. John (1 John 4), we will find very detailed explanation of the concept of Christian love.
Dear Lord, I pray that someday, someone will show me my heart as a seat of love. Then, I will be able to appreciate the love You offer us. Amen.
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