Respecting our ancestors: Christianity & the Confucian tradition

Commonweal, Jan 14, 2005 by Wan-Li Ho

My father died twenty-six years ago. As a Christian, he believed in eternal life and understood the death of Jesus as the key that opens the door to forgiveness and to a new way of life. Generally speaking, older Chinese avoid talking about death; it is taboo. Not my father. He accepted death as a necessary step in the grand scheme of things: "Whoever has a life, there is a death. This is a very natural thing." Then he added, "After I die I will be with God in heaven. Isn't that a beautiful thing? What are the things that can make you sad?" His tranquil attitude toward death was born out of his engagement with both Daoism and Christianity.

For many Chinese, there is no way to avoid interacting with various religions and ideologies: we live in simultaneous contact with too many different cultures and traditions. As a Taiwanese woman now living in the United States, I have come to cherish these interactions. It is as if I am the honored guest who has been invited to share in someone else's ritual meal. People ask how I, a devout Christian, can enter into dialogue with other religions. Do I not see such meetings as inherently conflictual? For me, the real challenge is in upholding my values and ideals while maintaining respect and admiration for the faith and traditions of others. My tradition does not have a monopoly on what is good. I should therefore appreciate and honor the good, wherever I encounter it.

My attendance at the Seder unexpectedly brought these recollections and reflections to mind. Such experiences offer the chance to synthesize the sources of our knowledge with the values that truly inspire us. Without such exposure, we may never come to understand fully and to cherish the richness of our spiritual roots. I regard the presence of dialogue among religions, faiths, and cultures as central, not only to deeper mutual understanding, but also to personal growth. My father's wisdom, like that of the absent prophet whose presence is both anticipated and palpable, guides me still.

Wan-Li Ho teaches in the Department of Russian and East Asian Languages and Culture at Emory University.