Unknown Life of Jesus Christ New Edition 2009 Publication

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

Page 91

- The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ "The rolls brought from India to Nepal and from Nepal to Thibet, relating to the life of Issa, are written in the Pali language, and these are to be found at Lassa, but a copy in our language [Thibetan] exists here. The masses are, however, ignorant of Issa; there is scarcely any one but the great Lamas who know of him, because they have spent their entire lives studying these rolls which relate to Issa. But as his doctrine does not constitute a canonical part of Buddhism, and as the worshipers of Issa [Christians] do not recognize the authority of the Dalai Lama, in Thibet the prophet Issa is, like many of his kind, not recognized as one of their principal saints."
Here M. Notovitch inquired whether the act would be sinful, should he recite these copies to a stranger; the Lama replied: "That which belongs to God belongs also to men; duty obliges us to help with good grace the propagation of his doctrines; only, have no knowledge of where in our libraries these rolls are to be found; if you ever visit our Gonpa again it will be a pleasure to me to show them to you." Whereupon the Lama arose, saying that he was "wanted for the sacrifices and asked kindly to be excused, and saluting the visitor, disappeared through the doorway.
There was nothing left for the somewhat disappointed traveler to do, but return to Leh and think out a plan which would furnish an excuse for returning to the convent. Two days later, he sent to the chief Lama a present consisting of an alarm-clock and a thermometer, with a message that he would probably pay a second visit to the convent before leaving Ladak and hoped that the Lama would favour him by showing him the rolls which had been the subject of their last conversation. M. Notovitch had formed the plan of leaving for Kashmir and again returning to Himis in order to allay any suspicion which might arise regarding his persistent inquiries concerning those rolls of the life of Issa. But fate decided the matter in his favour, for in passing along the mountain side, on the top of which stands the Gonpa of Pittak, his horse stumbled, by which our traveller was thrown to the