A Taste of Water: Christianity Through Taoist-Buddhist Eyes [Paperback]

Chwen A. Lee (Author), Thomas G. Hand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1990

"A Taste of Water" explores the possibility of a spiritual path that encompasses eastern religion/philosophy with Christianity. The book includes many little episodes from the authors' experiences that vivify Mahayana Buddhism and classical Taoism and practices on Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Written by a Catholic sister born in Taiwan and educated in the United States and a Jesuit priest born and raised in California who has lived most of his adult life in Japan, this book combines autobiographical and theological reflection in a marvelous account of how classical Taoist and Mahayana Buddhist studies have "more than any other element in our spiritual quest . . . assisted" the authors "to become better Christians." Hand explains how his Christianity became freed from overdependence on canon law, dogmatic definition, and personalization of God; for both, issues of human selfhood and no-self emerge as they recount their experience-centered reading of Christian scripture from a Taoist-Buddhist consciousness. Highly recommended as an excellent book of interfaith dialog and a guide to developing one's spirituality.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Viewing Christianity through Taoist-Buddhist eyes, Sister Agnes Lee and Father Thomas Hand have written a provocative book that will surely influence Christian spirituality of the twenty-first century." -- William Johnston, S.J., Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press; 1st edition (1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809131498
• ISBN-13: 978-0809131495
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An concise exploration of a complex subject, January 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Taste of Water: Christianity Through Taoist-Buddhist Eyes (Paperback)

One wonders if the confused lone critic who is ranting against this beautiful book has read more than its title ... sad how some individuals feel the need to vent their own spiritual anger in the most inappropriate places. "A Taste of Water" is refreshing inspiration for anyone who is serious about exploring the possibility of a spiritual path that encompasses Eastern as well as Western religion/philosophy. I would highly recommend this book, and yes, it can be found by those who know where to seek ...

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not for all, September 14, 2001

By 

Christina J. Robertson (Lapeer, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Taste of Water: Christianity Through Taoist-Buddhist Eyes (Paperback)

This is a very well done piece. Despite what some might think this book is NOT trying to Christianize traditional Chinese teachings. I found it to be just the OPPOSITE! The authors use the teachings of their childhood (mostly Toaist and Zen teachings) to explain eastern christianity. The Christianity of the Chinese and other eastern people is very different than that of the west.

For western Christians who find their church's teachings no longer speak to them this is a wonderful book. I find myself very influenced by eastern teachings, they speak to beliefs I have always held and had no name for.

If you are easilly offended or feel that no religious teachings should ever be meshed this book is not for you. As the authors would say, "teachings and dogma are only useful if we are not attached to them. As soon as we become afraid to change them, examine them, or modify them they become a stumbling block." So for those who are more interested in finding a universal truth than blinding clinging to teachings this book will truely be a "taste of water".

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful introduction to Christianity !, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Taste of Water: Christianity Through Taoist-Buddhist Eyes (Paperback)

It's a shame that this book is already out of print! This is the only book I've ever read that revived the richness of imagery in the Bible while warning our obsession of Western LOGOS. I admit 'Christian theology' have done a great job to describe a half of what Christ is all about, but the thing is that too many people misunderstand that it explained the whole of it. I've found the other half coming to life so beautifully in this book. I found a copy of this book in a bookstore in Japan and was deeply moved because the translation was incredibly excellent. I desperately wanted the original English version. I will treasure it for life.