God Is Red - Liao Yiwu [92]
Liao: Hey, hey, be nice. They could be your parents, or grandparents.
Ho: Whatever. My dad is a Buddhist, and my mom believes in Jesus. My grandpa teaches ancient Chinese literature at the University of Sichuan. Each time I visit, he’s swaying his head and reciting some ancient prose or poems; he loves Taoist philosophy and constantly blabbers to me lines from Zhuangzi, the Taoist master. “In the northern darkness there is a fish and his name is Kun. The Kun is so huge I don’t know how many thousand li he measures. He changes and becomes a bird whose name is Peng. The back of the Peng measures I don’t know how many thousand li across . . . blah, blah, blah.”
Anyhow, three religions are practiced in our home. Everyone does his or her own stuff. Why can’t they form a uniform family religion so we don’t have to fight all the time? It’s kind of strange. As a kid, I would go with my dad to Buddhist temples and mimic the gestures and facial expressions of the Buddhist statues. I would sit cross-legged in lotus positions, with my eyes closed. I made adults laugh so hard. When I was with my mom, I would attend services at an old church. People sang hymns. It was kind of grand and cool.
I prefer Christianity. Buddhism is too regional, secular, and not cool. Those old men and women, those wealthy businessmen or government officials, go to the temples, burning incense and praying for trivial stuff, such as more money, more promotions, and more luck. Taoism is way too highbrow, not attainable. I think Christianity is the only one that’s all encompassing. Jesus was crucified, and his blood redeemed us of our sins. Imagine how painful it was for him, but he did it for the salvation of humanity.
My parents filed for divorce a few years ago. I remember they used to argue about religion all the time. My mom wanted my dad to give up Buddhism and turn to Christianity. My dad totally ignored her. My mom would ask my dad to give some serious thought to Christianity. My dad would shoot back by saying, “I don’t need to think further. Buddhism is suitable for Chinese like me.” My mom wouldn’t cave in. She would go, “Buddhism came here from India. Look at what Buddhism has done to the two big poor and backward countries.” My dad would go: “Okay, please go ahead and use your Christian faith to make China a wealthy and advanced country. I’m happy where I am, backward and poor.” My mom would end up shaking her head and saying: “It’s so degrading to live with a pagan under the same roof.”
Liao: When did your mom become a Christian?
Ho: When she was pregnant with me.
Liao: In 1985? That was a few years after the government relaxed its control over religion.
Ho: My mom found God quite by chance. An old friend introduced her to a Protestant church nearby. She went there a couple of times for Sunday services. She felt inspired. A seventy-year-old minister baptized her. Many people were there to watch. My mother was a high school teacher. She teaches Chinese. In those days, it was a big deal for a high school teacher to be converted. Many people didn’t approve.
Liao: Sounds like your mother belongs to a Three-Self church.
Ho: Yes. I saw a sign posted on the entrance. It states the church is part of the Chinese Christian Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Mom’s church is quite old, with over one hundred years of history. The minister started serving in the church way before the Communists came. He just passed away. You should see the inside, very cool, old with traditional decor.
Liao: I assume the church must have reviewed her history and political background. The government indirectly controls the recruitment process.
Ho: I don’t know whether they did or not. I do know that the church was real cautious with new members. I heard