Unknown Life Of Jesus Christ Old Edition 1894 Publication - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ," published in 1894:

Book Title: The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ Author(s): Nicholas Notovitch, Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai (though the primary discoverer/translator is Notovitch, and Gandhi is the editor/translator into English) Publisher: World Jain Confederation (as indicated by the catalog link, though the publication itself states "Chicago: Virchand R. Gandhi") Publication Year: 1894

Core Premise: This book presents a purported ancient manuscript discovered by Nicholas Notovitch in a Buddhist monastery in Tibet, which claims to detail the "unknown life" of Jesus Christ (referred to as "Issa" in the manuscript) between the ages of 13 and 29. The central thesis is that Jesus, after his early years in Jerusalem, traveled to India and Tibet, where he studied Buddhist and Brahmanical philosophies, before returning to the region of his birth to preach.

Key Sections and Content:

Preface (Nicholas Notovitch):
- Notovitch recounts his extensive travels in the Orient following the Turkish war (1877-1878), including journeys through Central Asia and Persia, culminating in his visit to India in 1885.
- He describes his fascination with India's culture, archaeology, and nature.
- He learned from a chief Lama in Tibet about ancient memoirs concerning Jesus Christ's life in Eastern nations, preserved in Tibetan monasteries.
- After breaking his leg during a visit to the Himis monastery near Leh, he was cared for by the monks. During his recovery, he obtained permission to have a manuscript related to Jesus Christ brought from the library.
- With the help of an interpreter, he painstakingly transcribed and translated the text from Tibetan.
- Notovitch expresses his conviction in the authenticity of the chronicle, citing its corroboration by Brahmin and Buddhist historians.
- He details his efforts to get the manuscript reviewed by prominent religious figures and scholars in Europe (Bishop Platon, a Cardinal in Rome, Cardinal Rotelli, and M. Jules Simon), most of whom either advised against publication or expressed skepticism.
- He resolved to publish the translation himself, inviting learned societies to verify the manuscripts through on-site scientific expeditions.
Translator's Introduction (Virchand R. Gandhi):
- Gandhi, a prominent Jain scholar and advocate, introduces the work, acknowledging the controversy and critiques it has generated.
- He defends the authenticity of the Himis monastery, citing mentions by Professor Sir Monier Monier-Williams and the scientific mission of the Schlagintweist brothers.
- He presents an inscription from the Himis Monastery in Tibetan, along with its translation, detailing the monastery's founding and the reverence for the Buddhist triad.
- Gandhi addresses criticisms from figures like Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale, refuting the notion that Himis is a "mythical convent."
- He discusses Oriental hospitality, drawing parallels with Jain Dharmashalas, and laments the misrepresentation of Eastern cultures by those unfamiliar with them.
- He highlights India's rich intellectual and artistic heritage, emphasizing that the theory of Jesus visiting India is not entirely new but is presented publicly for the first time by Notovitch.
- Gandhi extensively argues for the pre-historic antiquity of India's trade and cultural connections with the West, citing biblical references to Indian commodities and Sanskrit names.
- He details the spread of Buddhism and Jainism, noting their influence in regions where Jesus later preached.
- He supports the possibility of Jesus's journey to India due to the commercial and philosophical exchanges already occurring.
- Gandhi abridges Notovitch's travelogue, adding his own insights and aiming to make the book accessible.
- He also points out potential inaccuracies or misinterpretations by Notovitch regarding Indian customs and religions, offering corrections in footnotes.
- He emphasizes the potential for the Bible and Buddhist/Hindu texts to have common threads.
Journey to Tibet (Nicholas Notovitch, as edited by Gandhi):
- This section details Notovitch's arduous journey from Lahore, through Kashmir, and into Ladakh.
- It describes the challenging terrain, the primitive modes of transport (horses, carriages), and the basic accommodations (bungalows).
- Notovitch encounters a Hindu who explains the strict rules of Brahminism regarding food purity.
- The description of Kashmir highlights its natural beauty, cultural history, and traditional crafts (shawls, jewelry).
- The journey continues through various villages like Dras and Kargil, encountering unique cultural practices like polyandry in Ladakh.
- Notovitch visits a Buddhist convent (Moulbek), where he interacts with a Lama. The Lama expresses a respect for Christianity but distinguishes the Christian "Dalai Lama" (Pope) from their own, and identifies "Issa" as a prophet and part of God's spirituality, greater than any earthly leader.
- This conversation sparks Notovitch's determination to find the "sacred writings" about Issa.
- He visits other monasteries (Lamieroo, Saspula, Himis) and encounters similar responses: the existence of manuscripts about Issa but reluctance to share them with foreigners, often due to historical experiences of desecration or misinterpretation of sacred texts by outsiders.
- Notovitch's leg is broken during his journey, providing a pretext to return to the Himis monastery.
The Life of Saint Issa (The Manuscript):
- This is the core of the book, presenting the narrative of Issa's life as translated from the Tibetan manuscript.
- Early Life and Exodus: The manuscript begins with the story of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their liberation led by "Mossa" (Moses), who is portrayed as the son of a Pharaoh and a wise teacher of the Israelites. This account differs significantly from the biblical narrative regarding Moses's origins and identity.
- Life in India (Ages 13-29):
  - At 13, Issa disappears from Jerusalem and travels with a merchant caravan to "Sindh" (India) to study the laws of the great Buddhas.
  - He spends six years in various holy cities like Jagannath, Rajagriha, and Benares, studying the Vedas, learning healing through prayers, and preaching.
  - He criticizes the caste system of the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, denouncing the discrimination against Vaishyas and Shudras. He asserts that God created all beings equally.
  - He denies the divine origin of the Vedas and Puranas, advocating a single law of God and rejecting the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) and divine incarnations.
  - He teaches about the oneness of God and the spiritual nature of the universe, emphasizing love, peace, and good deeds.
  - He preaches against idol worship, animal sacrifices, and the corruption of priests.
  - His teachings attract the lower castes (Vaishyas and Shudras), causing alarm among the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, who plot his death.
  - He flees to Nepal and the Himalayas, where he studies Buddhist Sutras for six years.
  - He then travels westward, preaching against idolatry and advocating for the worship of the one true God.
  - In Persia, he clashes with Zoroastrian priests, who try to have him arrested, but he escapes.
- Return to Israel and Ministry:
  - At age 29, Issa returns to Israel, where the people are suffering under oppression.
  - He preaches that God resides in the heart, not in man-made temples, and that true worship involves good deeds and inner purity.
  - He reinforces the faith of the Israelites and predicts their deliverance.
  - His growing popularity alarms Governor Pilate, who fears Issa might incite a revolt and claim the throne of Israel.
- Trial and Crucifixion:
  - Pilate orders Issa's arrest and imprisonment, subjecting him to torture to elicit a confession.
  - Priests and elders petition for Issa's release or a public trial, leading Pilate to agree to a tribunal in the temple.
  - Issa is brought before judges, seated between two robbers, to diminish his significance.
  - He explains that his kingdom is of Heaven and that he preached the divine word, not political revolt.
  - The elders find him innocent.
  - Pilate, using a spy (implied to be Judas), fabricates charges of inciting revolt and claiming kingship.
  - Jesus forgives Judas and challenges Pilate's methods.
  - The judges refuse to condemn an innocent man and acquit the robbers, washing their hands of responsibility.
  - Pilate, frustrated, orders Issa's condemnation to death.
  - Issa is crucified between two robbers. His suffering ends at sunset, and his soul merges with the Divinity.
- Aftermath:
  - Pilate returns Issa's body to his relatives.
  - Fearing an uprising, Pilate orders the body secretly moved.
  - The empty tomb leads to rumors of divine intervention, which the Buddhist chronicle attributes to human superstition, contrasting it with the Buddhist belief in the soul's union with the Eternal.
  - Pilate forbids mentioning Issa's name, but his followers continue to preach his message, spreading his teachings among other nations.
Summary:
- This section reflects on the similarities and differences between the "Issa" narrative and the Gospels.
- It questions the dating of the biblical texts, suggesting that Eastern records (like Buddhist and Jain ones) might be older.
- It re-examines the story of Moses, suggesting the Buddhist account of him being an Egyptian prince is more plausible than the Israelite origin, given his education and the social structures of ancient Egypt.
- It analyzes the plagues in Egypt as potential natural disasters understood through the lens of religious belief.
- It posits that the Buddhist traditions, recording events closer to the time of Jesus, might offer a more accurate account of his life.
- It suggests that Jesus's journey to India was motivated by India's reputation for advanced arts and sciences.
- The summary reiterates the Buddhist concept of divine incarnation and the role of Bodhisattvas.
- It highlights Jesus's critical stance against the caste system and Brahmanical rituals, aligning him with the oppressed.
- It discusses the origin of the Trimurti and the complex Hindu cosmology, which Jesus allegedly rejected in favor of monotheism.
- It suggests Jesus fled to Nepal after facing persecution from Brahmins.
- It revisits the political motivations behind Jesus's trial, attributing responsibility primarily to Pilate, who feared Jesus's popularity and potential claim to kingship, rather than the Jewish authorities as presented in the Gospels.
- It concludes that the Buddhist chronicle offers a more probable explanation for the events leading to Jesus's condemnation, particularly regarding Pilate's direct involvement and the Sanhedrin's reluctance to condemn Jesus.
- It touches upon the resurrection legend, contrasting the Buddhist and Christian interpretations of the soul's fate.

Jain Context: While the book focuses on Jesus Christ's life through a Buddhist lens, its publication by the World Jain Confederation and the extensive introduction by Virchand R. Gandhi place it within a Jain intellectual framework. Gandhi's introduction, in particular, uses the opportunity to:

Defend Eastern traditions and scholarship against Western skepticism.
Highlight the antiquity and sophistication of Indian civilization, including Jainism.
Draw parallels between Christian concepts and Indian philosophies, suggesting shared origins or influences.
Argue for the historical interconnectedness of cultures, implicitly supporting the idea that Jesus's travels and studies in India were plausible and significant.

In essence, "The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ" is a controversial work that presents a narrative of Jesus's life, suggesting his formative years were spent in India and Tibet, deeply influenced by Buddhist and Hindu thought, before his public ministry and eventual crucifixion. The book uses this narrative to question traditional Christian accounts and to promote a view of spiritual and cultural exchange between East and West, championed by Jain scholar Virchand R. Gandhi.