How Jesus Lived in India Changed My View of Christianity and Eastern Religions
Jesus Christ lived in India book
Have you ever wondered what Jesus did during his "lost years" between the ages of 12 and 30? Have you ever heard of the theory that Jesus survived the crucifixion and traveled to India, where he died at an old age? Have you ever read the book that claims to present irrefutable evidence for these claims?
jesus christ lived in india book
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in reading Jesus Lived in India: His Unknown Life Before and After the Crucifixion, a book by German theologian Holger Kersten. In this article, we will give you an overview of this controversial book and its main arguments, evidence, criticisms, and controversies.
The author and his sources
Holger Kersten is a German theologian who has spent many years studying the historical Jesus and his connections with Eastern religions. He is also the author of several other books on related topics, such as The Original Jesus: The Buddhist Sources of Christianity and The Jesus Conspiracy: The Turin Shroud and the Truth About the Resurrection.
Kersten's main source for his book Jesus Lived in India is a treatise written by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a 19th-century Indian religious leader who claimed to be the Messiah of Islam. Ahmad wrote that he had discovered ancient manuscripts in a Tibetan monastery that revealed that Jesus had traveled to India and studied Buddhism there. Kersten also claims to have visited many historical sites connected with Jesus in Israel, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and India, where he found more evidence for his theory.
The main arguments of the book
The main arguments of Kersten's book are as follows:
Jesus followed the ancient Silk Road to India when he was a young man. There he studied Buddhism and became a spiritual master.
Jesus returned to Palestine and preached a message that was influenced by Buddhism. He also performed miracles by using yogic powers.
Jesus survived the crucifixion by being revived by a secret brotherhood that had knowledge of herbal medicine.
Jesus escaped from Palestine and returned to India with his mother Mary and some of his disciples.
Jesus died in Kashmir at an old age and was buried in Srinagar, where he is still revered as a saintly man.
The evidence for the book's claims
Kersten presents various types of evidence to support his claims, such as:
Ancient manuscripts that mention Jesus' travels to India and his studies of Buddhism. These include the Tibetan Gospel of Issa, the Bhavishya Purana, and the Tarikh-i-Kashmir.
Local traditions and legends that attest to Jesus' presence and influence in India. These include the stories of the Roza Bal shrine in Srinagar, the tomb of Mary in Murree, and the Jesus-like figure of Yuz Asaf.
Historical records that corroborate Jesus' survival of the crucifixion and his escape to India. These include the reports of Pontius Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea, and the Acts of Thomas.
Archaeological findings that show the similarities between early Christianity and Buddhism. These include the symbols of the cross and the fish, the monastic orders, and the ethical teachings.
The criticisms and controversies of the book
Kersten's book has faced a lot of criticisms and controversies from various quarters, such as:
Scholars who question the authenticity and reliability of Kersten's sources and methods. They point out that many of his manuscripts are either forged or mistranslated, that his historical records are either dubious or irrelevant, and that his archaeological findings are either coincidental or anachronistic.
Religious authorities who reject Kersten's interpretation and implication of his theory. They argue that Kersten's book undermines the core doctrines of Christianity, such as the divinity of Jesus, the atonement of his death, and the uniqueness of his resurrection.
The public who are either fascinated or offended by Kersten's claims. They either embrace his book as a revelation of a hidden truth or denounce it as a blasphemy of a sacred faith.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jesus Lived in India is a book that presents a radical theory about the life and death of Jesus Christ. It claims that Jesus traveled to India, studied Buddhism, survived the crucifixion, and died in Kashmir. It also presents various types of evidence to support its claims, such as ancient manuscripts, local traditions, historical records, and archaeological findings. However, it also faces various types of criticisms and controversies from scholars, religious authorities, and the public.
Personally, I think that Kersten's book is an interesting but unconvincing attempt to connect Christianity with Eastern religions. While I appreciate his curiosity and creativity, I find his arguments and evidence to be weak and flawed. I also think that his book does not do justice to either Christianity or Buddhism, as it ignores their differences and complexities. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a serious and reliable account of Jesus' life.
FAQs
Q: When was Jesus Lived in India published?A: The book was first published in German in 1983 under the title Christus lebte in Indien. It was later translated into English and other languages.
Q: Who is Mirza Ghulam Ahmad?A: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was an Indian religious leader who founded the Ahmadiyya movement in Islam. He claimed to be the Messiah of Islam and also identified himself with Jesus Christ.
Q: What is the Roza Bal shrine?A: The Roza Bal shrine is a tomb in Srinagar, Kashmir, that is believed by some to be the burial place of Jesus Christ. It is also known as the tomb of Yuz Asaf, a name that Kersten claims to be a corruption of Yeshua or Jesus.
Q: What is the Gospel of Issa?A: The Gospel of Issa is an alleged ancient manuscript that narrates the life of Jesus in India. It was supposedly discovered by Nicolas Notovitch, a Russian traveler who visited Tibet in 1887. However, most scholars consider it to be a hoax.
Q: What are some other books on similar topics?A: Some other books on similar topics are The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ by Levi Dowling, The Lost Years of Jesus by Elizabeth Clare Prophet, The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ by Nicolas Notovitch, and The Original Jesus by Elmar R. Gruber and Holger Kersten.
71b2f0854b