Unknown Life of Jesus Christ Old Edition 1894 Publication

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

Page 48

THE UNKNOWN LIFE OF ;ESUS CHRIST. 47 quarters for the Lamas and their religion for many years. Upon the extreme top ledge of a precipice of concrete stone stands the old monastery, curious enough in its construction of stone, overlooking the village some hundred (cet below, the houses being perched on pinnacles of rock and scattered about here and thcrc. The illustration (p. 105) represents a cluster of monument-like buildings which line the path and are dotted about in groups of from three to twelve or fourteen together. They stand about seven feet high and are, as the inhabitants of the village claim, erected over the defunct Lamas and other saints ol the Buddhist relig. ion, aster which they become sacred in the eyes of the faithful, who refer to thein with bowings and scrapings and "Om mani padme huns" innumerablc.*
After some conversation, the monks invited M. Notovitch to visit the convent, which invitation he at oncc accepted and followed them up the steep passages cut in the solid rock, wliich was thickly studded with prayer-wheels that are set twirling by the slighest touch, which is unavoidable in ascending the narrow passage.
He was conducted to a room, the walls of whichi were adorned with books, prayer-wheels and numerous statues of Buddha. He inquired about the manuscript relating to Issa, of which he had heard from the Lama of thc Moulbek monastery. The monks hicrc also demicd liaving any of the rolls in thcir possession; one monk, however, acknowleiiged tliat lic had seen many copies of the manuscript in a convent ncar Leli, where he had spent many years previous to his appointment to Lamicroo; but the visitor was unable to induce the monik to mention the name of the convent whicrc the rolls were kept, and further questioning only provoked 5035picion.
*"The Diary of at ledestrian,"