Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-11-28
PUZZLE IN OLD SCROLL.
Alleged Copy Of Ancient Buddhist
Manuscript Has Stirred Interest.
BY William e. Curtis,
Special Correspondent of the Chicago
Record Herald,

Special Correspondent of the Chicago
Record-Herald.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-While
was In Kyoto last summer at the great
Hongwanji temple Mr. Watanabe. one
If the ablest and most eloquent of the
buddhist clergy Of Japan. told me that
IN American firm had recently pub
lished remarkable book which solv-
I'd one of the greatest mysteries of
mankind and disclosed beyond perad-
yenture the whereabouts of Christ
Turing his youth and early manhood,
If which we have no Information in
he New Testament. Count Otani, the
archbishop of the reformed sect Of
Buddhists; Mr.. Akamatsu, who repre-
'ented that church at the congress OF
"eligions in Chicago during the worlds
air. and other Buddhist clergymen,
and scholars were considerably stirred
Up on the subject and discussed IL
With great earnestness. None OF them
had ever seen the book. Their only
knowledge of 1t was obtained from a
,engthy review in French magazine,
written by a gentleman who, they told
ne, was an eminent theologian.
When they brought the magazine |
discovered that the book contained
IN English translation of an alleged
manuscript which the author claimed
o have discovered in a monastery in
rhibet. 1t is quite an elaborate work.
written in a Persian dialect. and re-
lates the experience and teachings OF
/ young Jew called lisa the Arab
name word for Jesus) who when
about 12 years OF age, accompanied
l caravan from Palestine across the
continent of Asia to Thibet and there
remained as student in a Buddhist
monastery until he had grown to be
a man. He became a priest. and,
after a time. returned u his native
country where he taught the gospel
Of Buddha. and was prosecuted and
finally crucified by order of the Ro-
man governor. to satisfy the clamor
If the priests whose practices and
eachings he had put to shame.
The manuscript represents that Je-
sus spent six years in India. studying
he customs of that country and the
Sanskrit language, which enabled him
| to investigate the customs and prac-
ices of the Brahmias. their religion,
philosophy. mathematics and sciences
| Having reached the age Of 26 and hav-
ing made a thorough study Of Budd
hism he resolved to return to his ma.
| tive country, to redeem his own peo-
Pile. and to teach them the truth and
light, as they were taught by Buddha
He preached against Brahminism, and
upon his journey back toward Syria
caused an uprising among the follow
srs Of Zoroaster by exposing the weak
nesses Of their religion and the de
pravity Of their priests. They received
him with great rejoicing and he went
about Palestine preaching the gospe
Of Buddha until he was crucihed be
tween two malefactors.
The manuscript contains severs
chapters Of maxims. sermons, ant
other teachings Of lisa, which have
striking resemblance to those con
tanned in the gospels. Messrs. Rand
McNally & Co.. Of Chicago are credit
ed with the publication.
In Chicago some time ago Mr.. Nc
Nally gave me a copy Of the bool
but could tell very little about its orr
gin. except that 1t was brought Il
them By . Mr.. Donovan a OAeasc