The Indianapolis journal., 1896-04-26
ALITERAKY IMPOSTOR
His Alleged Translation Of an Ancient
Tfbetan Life OF Christ Turns Out
to BE q Plain Forgery.

lished at Paris by Russian traveller named
Notovitch Its title was 'fUne Vie Inconnue
de Jesus-christ-" In 1t the author described
at length a journey which he claimed to
have made through the widest part Of
Eastern Kashmir, and declared that, while
suffering from broken leg, he was received
and cared by the chief lama Of a Budd-
hist monastery at Hamis. In the province
to which are applied by geographers the
various names of Ladakh. Built and Little
Tibet.
While In the monastery, NJ. Notovitch
wrote, he had many long and interesting
conversations with the priests In regard to
their own religion and those of other ma
tions, including the Egyptians. the As
syrians and the Jews. Finally the chief lama
showed him an ancient manuscript. In which
were set down In detail the life and doctrines
OF 'Issa." as the Mohammedans call Jesus.
and which declared that the mysterious
years OF Christs early manhood were spent
among the Buddhists Of India.
Realizing that this was an important dis
covery. Nd. Notovitch said, he persuaded the
lama to translate long portions of the manu-
script, and these alleged translations appear
In the 'Vie Inconnue" They attracted in
stant attention from scholars all over the
WOlA0s AOi titO oS"toiit4 3<AAC VA A95o Vii
fered in both biographical and doctrinal de-
tails of great importance from the narra-
tves that appear In the accepted Gospels.
Persons best qualified by their knowledge
of Oriental languages and religions to Judge
of the matter at once expressed doubt as
TO the reality of M. Notovitch's "find," and
Prof. Max Muller wrote an article in which
he denounced the whole story as an impu-
A. 30
real learning, and containing intrinsic proof
of it's own falsity. NJ. Notovitch made a
bold and vigorous defense. He reasserted
the exact veracity of every statement in his
book, and he concluded by telling doubters
TO go to Hamis interview the lama, and
examine the wonderful manuscript for
themselves. This. while it did not convince
the province Of Ladakh is a long way off,
and TO get there Is not convenient or easy.
Many editions of the book, both IN French
and Engiish, were sold, ana ITS aurhor
snapped derisve fingers at Prof. Muller and
the other skeptics.
THE EXPOSURE.
It now turns out, however, that the
Russian gentleman's security was only fam
ced. His challenge to visit Hamis was at
last taken up and In the April number of
The Ninteenth Century Prof. ]. Archibald
Douglas tells what he found there, what
he learned by talking with the Chief Lama,
and just how much, or rather how little,
basis there Is for M. Notovitchs story.
Prof. Douglas's article is a complete refu-
tation of every assertion made by the Rus
sian traveller, except the assertion that he
did make journey into Little Tibet. This
he may have done, though 1t is not at
all certain; but he did not receive treatment
for a broken Reg in the monastry, he did
not discuss religions with rhe lama, and,
most important OF all, he did not see
manuscript Life of Issa," for the very good
reason that there ds no such thing in that
monastry. or, 50 far as the lama knows, in
any other IN all Tibet
every respect. Professor Douglas started
on his journey into the Himalayas rather
disposed TO believe that he would lind there
confirmation of a part, at least, OF NJ. Noto-
vitch's story. He had read Professor Null
ler's criticism, and had regarded 1t as Dit
unwarranted. in that 1t reached conclusions
founded on premise only 10 De estab-
lished by visit to Hams. While ready
to admit that the famous manuscript might
not be either ancient or authentic, he was
inclined to believe that manuscript OF
some sort existed. and that Nj. Notovitch
had seen and studied, and been misled by
it..
Professor Douglas discovered that the Rus
sian was man of more imagination than
veracity. NJ. Notovitch described many
theirs. None of these beasts molested Pro-
fessor Douglas, and on inquiry he learned
from old inhabitants OF the district that
panthers. pant or other dangerous creatures
there, and that any stories about men at
tackled or eaten were mere nonsensical
Arriving at Hamis, Professor Douglas
was Hospitality welcomed by the lama.
That parsonage. when questioned as to M
peans nad visited the monastery at about
the time when the Russian claims to have
been there. NJ. Notovitch might or might
however. no record of his name. and none
of the old monks remembered him. This
proved nothing, and the Professor proceed
ed to investigate the whole matter with
tive Tibetan named Joldan, who had
learned English thoroughly while an official
aid of this man as an interpreter Professor
Douglas laid before the lama all the i'm
portant points made in M. Notovitch's
book. These included the arrival at the
broken leg, the long conversations on abb
struse problems In comparative theology.
gard to the Buddhist view of ..Issa," the
existence In the Tibetan monasteries, es-
pecially at Lassa. of documents brought
the existence at Hamis OF Tibetan trans
lation of one such document, In which the
life and doctrines OF ''Issa" are recorded,
IL "
tion of that life of Issa'' by the foreign
visitor.
A COMPLETE REPUTATION.
The lama studied this synopsis with care,
declared through the man Joldan that he
understood it perfectly. and then drew up
a statement covering every point submitted
to him. In 1t the lama says that he has
been at the head of the Hamis monastery
for fifteen years. During that time no Euro
pean with a broken leg has stopped there.
Neither the chief lama nor any of his
monks ever showed to q European traveller
a Life OF Issa," because there is no such
manuscript or book In the library at Hamis.
In reply to the question, 'Are you aware of
the existence in any Of the Buddhist monas-
teries of Tibet nf any book bearing on the
life of Issa?" the Lama replied: Il have
been lama for forty-two years, and am
well acquainted with all the weil-known
Buddhist books and manuscripts. and have
never heard Of one that mentions the name
OF Issa,' and II is my firm and honest be-
lief that none such exists
: AS TO NJ. Notovitch's assertion that he had
with the lama the religions OF
Egypt Assyria and Palestine, the reply was:
81 know nothing whatever about the Egyp-