The record-union., 1894-06-22


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ion and have himself proclaimed for
king. So he engaged some men to nrlng
false witness, and he had 1ssa arrested
and tortured III a dungeon in order to
compel him to confessions upon which he
might be condemned. But Issa bore all
this patiently. When the priests ana
Pharisees heard of this, they went to Pi-
latus and begged him TO allow lssa his
freedom for the great festival. But Pl-
latus denied their request. They then
asked him TO place Issa before the Fri
bunal of the Aid, SO that he might be-
either convicted or acquitted before the
festival. This was granted by Pliatus.
On the following morning lssa was
placed before the tribunal, together with
two thieves. so that he might not be con-
victed alone. Pilatus, who also was pres
ent, said to Issa: MAN, is 1t true that
thou stirrest up the people against the
authorities with the purpose OF becoming
King of Israel q" Issa replied: "One
does not become King of ones own Will;
they have lied to you when they SAID tnat
| stirred up the people. / have always
only spoke of the King of the Heavens
and taught the people to worship him.
For the sons of Israel have lost their pur-
ity Of old, and if they do not return to
the true God they will be punished and
their temple will fall to pieces. The ter
restrial power maintains the order IN the
country. | teach them to bear TINS IN
mind; that they should live in agreement
with their condition. not to disturb the
public order, and to remember that dis
order prevails in their hearts and in their
spirit. The King of Heavens has pun
ished and taken from them their national
kings, but il they would be resigned,
told them, they will have part in the
Heavenly Kingdom Upon this the
false Witnesses were introduced. one OF
them said to Issa: You have said that
the terrestrial power were nothing when
compared to The power OF the King who
was soon to deliver Israel from their
yoke" And Issa replied: "Mayst thou
be blessed for having spoken the truth
The King OF Heavens is greater and more
powerful than the terrestrial law, and
His Kingdom eXcels all the Kingdoms OF
this earth. And the time is not more far
when Israel, agreeable to the divine Will,
will be purified OF their sins, for it is said
that the precursor would come to an
nounce to Israel their delivery, and ne
will unite the people in one single fam
Iy."
Then Pilatus turned to the Judges, say
ing, "Y ou have heard it ISsa admits
the crime of which he Is accused. Jugde
him according to your laws and pronounce
the Judges said: I'VE cannot convict
him, for he spoke OF the King OF the
Heavens, as thyself hast heard, and lie
has said nothing that was contrary to the
law" Then Pilatus had brought another
witness, who, by his promptings, had be-
trayed Issa, and this witness said to 1Ssa:
did you not pretend TO be the KING OF
Israel when you said that the King of the
Heavens had sent you in order to prepare
the people?" But Issa said: Thou wilt
be forgiven, for what thou sayest does not
come fiom theer' Then IsSa said TO
Pilatus, why dost thou wish to debase
thy dignity by teaching thy subordinates
TO live in the lie. since without so doing
you have the power to convict an inno-
cent man?' Upon these words the Gov
ernor fell into great passion and ordered
that Issa should be condemned to death,
but that the thieves should be acquitted.
The Judges, however, deliberaLed with
one another, and then said to Puatus:
1--WE cannot take the great guilt upon us
to condemn the innocent and acquit
murderers. Therefore do what seems
good to you" Whereupon the priests,
tho Pharisees and the wise old men left
the hall, washed their hands in a sacred
vessel, and said: I'VE are innocent of
the blood of this righteous one"
Then, at the command of the Governor,
Issa, together with the two thieves, were
led to the place of execution and cruci-
fed. The whole day slsSa's body hung
bleeding on the cross. guarded by SOL
di6rS; the people stood around the cross,
and the relatives wept and prayed. Issa's
sufferings came to an end with the setting
OF the sun; he lost consciousness, and his
soul freed herself from the body to be
united with the Deity. In the mean
while Pilatus felt great repentance over
his deed; ne ordered lSSa's body 10 be re-
turned to his relatives and buried it near
the place OF execution. A large crowd
assembled at the grave and prayed and
filled the air with their cries and laments.
Three days later the Governor, fearing an
uprisal OF the people, had Issa's corpse re-
moved by soidiers and buried in another
spot. On the next morning the people
found the grave open and empty. At once
the rumor spread that the Supreme Judge
had sent his angels to take away the NOR
tai remains of the saint, in which part of
the Divine Spirit had dweit on earth.
When Pilatus heard of the rumor he be-
came angry, and prohibited anyone, upon
penalty of slavery and death, to pro-
nounce Issa's name or to pray for him to
the Lord. But the people continued to
lament and glorify him, and for doing 50
many were tortured, executed, or carried
away into slavery. Issa's disciples, how
ever, left the country and preached his
teachings to the heathen.
These are the outlines of the biography
of Issa, without his numerous teachings,
precepts and sublime utterances with
which it abounds. The third part of the
book contains commentary to this BIZ
ography, where the author elucidates its
relation to Buddhistic science and
Christian tradition. as well as the degree
of its historical authority. Although the
source from which the Russian traveller
has drawn be sacred writing not access
ible to everybody, it is possible for others
to verify the authors statements, for
Buddhist monasteries likewise possess
copies of Issa's biography. The prov
ince of ILadak belongs to Cashmere,
which, though ruled by native prince,is
nevertheless under an Englis protec-
torate. Moreover, the Buddhist Lamas
are as a whole very intelligent and