New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-18
A R1-DDHISTIC LIFE OF JESUS.

Buddhistic Records by Nicolas Not9Vncn'
Svo, PIP. 2SS c. W. Dillingham;
long account OF the circumstances under which
this work was discovered by the Russian traveller
Notovtch, appeared in The Tribune ie" weeks
ago and need only be briefly summarized mere.
While NJ Notovitch was making a Journey through
Thibet in 1873 the chief lama Of the great convent
Of Hints told him that the monastic library con
tanned copies OF ancient Buddhistic memoir or
the life OF Jesus Christ, or. as He was called IN the
memoir Issa An accident. resulting In the break
ing of his leg led 10 his being taken 70 the mon
asterv to receive surgical attention. and Will"
there he persuaded the lamas TO let him make
copy Of the memoir or rather 10 have translation
OF II made in Russian Being convinced that IT was
an authentic and valuable record OF a hitherto IN
known episode in the life OF Christ, NJ NotoVitch
attempted to enlist the interest Of various Euro
pean scholars In It, Most OF them advised him not
to draw upon himself the hostility OF orthodox
Christians by publishing the work. NJ Renan.
however offered to publish the memoir. with
commentary OF his own. But as this would have
deprived VI. Notovtch OF any credit In the matter,
he declined 10 accept the propositions and In order
not to hurt NJ. Remains feelings. he determined 10
delay the publication until after the death OF the
great French schoN He now publishes the chron-
cle with commentary and an account OF the
people OF Thbet and their religious and social he:
and the book before us is translation OF his work
by two competent American scholars
The question Of the genuineness and authenticity
OF the chronicle is too complex 10 be discussed here
Without more thorough investigation Of the his
tory Of the chronicle. 1t is clearly impossible 70
pronounce an opinion on its merits. 1t Is affirmed
TO have been written in Pail. three or four years
after the Crucinxion OF Christ from accounts
brought home by Indian merchants who had been
trading in Jerusalem. supplemented by local recoi-
lections OF Saint 'Issa," by those who had known
Him personally during His sojourn in India From
INF ried
where 1t Is still treasured among the $1,000 scrolls
in the great Lamaserai library. Whether this Is a
true account OF the origin OF the memoir. or
whether II Is simply pious forgery, IL a question
that NJ Notovitch does not attempt TO settle, ana
which, In fact, can only be settled by the exhaust
I've critical research of scholars. Until such an
investigation is made II only be regarded as an
interesting literary curiosity the value OF which Is
largely a matter Of conjecture.
Most Of the chronicle is taken up with ac
count Of sayings OF Issa divine teacher OF
Buddha The views Of Issa in regard to woman
are especially interesting Just now. Respect
woman" he said for in her see the mother Of
the universe. and all the truth Of divine creation
Is 10 through her. She is the fount OF every
thing good and beautiful, as she is also the germ
OF life and death. BE submissive to the wife: her
love ennobles man, softens his hardened heart.
tames the wild beast in him. and changes II TO a
lamb Wife and mother are the priceless treasures
which God has given to you. Protect your wife,
that she may protect you-you and all your house
hold All that you can do for your mothers, your
wives. for widow. for any other woman in
distress you will do for your God"
Another interesting thing about the chronicle IL the
fact that 1t makes PLATE, and not the Jews. guilty
Of the death OF Christ. PLATE alarmed the
growing popularity OF Jesus 0ssa). and determined
to put Him to death. He therefore ordered the
Sanhedrim TO convene and condemn the Prophet on
the charge Of sedtion. But the Sanhedrim refused
] IL i,.,
PLATE therefore brlbed TO accuse Jesus OF
capital crimes and the strength OF their testi-
mony ordered His execution. We believe that this
view has been substantially held by many repre-
| sentative Jews. but OF course no Christian who
cepts the four Gospels as truthful records can
hold IT,
There are many other interesting features in this
Buddhistc chronicle. But 1t is obvious that their
value depends entirely on the authenticity OF the
document. Was 1t written three or four years
after the Crucihxlon. Is alleged? Or Is It merely
n clumsy forgery made by Buddhistic Jew?
We not in a position to answer these questions.
But those who believe In the senuneness of the
chronicle should take steps TO have the question
settled by competent scholars.
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