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9. COMING OF THOMAS
Supreme God and gave rise to Iswara, Maheswara, Parameswara. Without doubt, Isa is the name, which derived from the name of Jesus. The prescript Param can be replaced with Maha meaning "The Great" to give Maheshwara - The Great God. These words Parameswara and Maheswara occur in Indian religious scenario only after the first century.
This was very new to the Indian continent. It transformed all the religions of India - Vedism, Buddhism, and even Jainism to some extent. The idea that there is a Personal God who is Omnipotent and loving changed the whole theology of Indian continent as the later religious scenario shows. The extent of this impact indicates that Thomas established churches with Jesus as center of worship as the Parameshwara throughout India.
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Gold coin of Vasudeva I. Obv: Vasudeva in tall helmet, holding a scepter, and making an offering over an altar. Legend in Kushan language and Greek script "Shaonanoshao Bazodeo Koshano" which means: "King of kings,
Vasudeva the Kushan". Rev: Indian god "Oesho" (Easow) holding a trisula (Trinity) scepter, with the bull.
Is this Jesus? Monogram ("tamgha") to the left.
Vasudeva I (Kushan: "Bazodeo", Chinese: "Bodiao") was a Kushan emperor around 195-225 AD. He was the last great Kushan emperor, and the end of his rule coincides with the invasion of the Sassanians as far as northwestern India, and the establishment of the Indo-Sassanians or Kushanshahs from around 240 AD. Vaseduva may have been the Indian king who returned the relics of the Apostle St. Thomas from India. It was probably during this time the poetic work of "Acts of Thomas" was written. The relics were transfered triumphally to the town of Edessa, Mesopotamia. The Indian king is named as "Mazdai" in Syriac sources, "Misdeos" and "Misdeus" in Greek and Latin sources, has been connected to the "Bazdeo" on the Kushan coinage of Vasudeva
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