Unknown Life of Jesus Christ New Edition 2009 Publication

Author(s): Nicholas Notovitch, Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

Page 41

-
The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ
--
--
certain great monasteries possessed copies and translations of those chronicles. As there was little probability that 1 should again visit those countries, postponed to a future date my return to Europe, and, cost what it might, I resolved either lo secure those. copies from the great convents, or at any rate go to Lassa for further information on the subject-a journey far from being so dangerous and difficult as we are led to believe. Moreover, by this time I was so well accustomed to these kinds of perils that they could not deter me from my undertaking..
During my stay at Leh, the capital of Ladak, I visited the great monastery of Himis, situated near the city. The chief Lama of the monastery told me that the monastic library contained some copies of the manuscript in question. Lest I should awaken the suspicion of the authorities on the object of my visit to the convent, and thereby find obstacles in my character as a Russian in my future journey in Thibet. 1 determined to leave the capital of Ladak, and departed for India. An unfortunate fall, by which 1 broke my leg, furnished me with an unexpected pretext to return to the monastery, where 1 received excellent care; and during my short stay with the Lamas, I had the honour of obtaining the consent of their chief to have brought from the library the manuscript relating to Jesus Christ, and, aided by my interpreter, who translated for me from the Thibetan language, I wrote down carefully the verses as they were read by the Lama.
Not doubting at all the authenticity of this chronicle, related with great exactitude by the Brahmin historians and by the Buddhists of India and Nepal, I determined upon my return to Europe to publish the translation. With this object I addressed myself to several well-known ecclesiastics, requesting them to revise these notes, and to give me their opinion of them.
His Lordship, Bishop Platon, the celebrated Metropolitan of View, admitted that this discovery was of great importance; he,
-
40
cm