The Unknown Life of Jesus: The Original Text of Nicolas Notovich's 1887 Discovery

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 122 pages
• Published by: Quill Driver Books October 1, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1884956416
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1884956416
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Weighs: 6.4 ounces

Product Description
Controversial since it was first published in 1890, Nicolas Notovitch’s The Unknown Life of Jesus relates that Jesus Christ spent at least part of the years of his life unaccounted for in the Bible—from the age of 13 to 29—teaching and studying in India and other parts of Asia. Notovitch was on an “extended journey through the Orientto study the customs and habits of the inhabitants of India.” During his travels, he visited a Buddhist monastery near Mulbek, close to the Wakha River. Here a Lama told him that Jesus, whom the Buddhists called “Issa,” had visited the region and that there were ancient manuscripts documenting Jesus’ visit and that copies existed at other monasteries. Notovitch was able to convince the monks at the Hemis Monastery to read from these documents and, as an interpreter translated, Notovitch transcribed.

About The Author
Nicolas Notovitch was a Russian aristocrat and journalist born in Crimea in 1858 of Jewish parents. He and his brother Osip converted to the Greek Orthodox Christian religion as young men. Notovitch authored twelve books, mostly on Russian politics. He was fluent in French as well as Russian and wrote in both languages. It is said that Rudyard Kipling's character "Dirkovich" in his short story "The Man Who Was" was based on Notovitch and his life.

Reader Reviews
Notovich recounts his journey to Ladakh near the Tibetan and Indian borders, where he viewed manuscripts that described the travels of Issa (Jesus) in India during the "missing" or undetailed years of his life. Evidently, Jesus studied Buddhist wisdom and also preached there also. The teachings that Notovich relates concerning Jesus ring true in terms of their profundity. His account of the trial and the crucifixion of Jesus are quite interesting also. In this version, an exact about face from the accepted version in the gospels, the Jewish priests respected Jesus and wanted him acquitted. Pontius Pilate wanted Jesus put to death, because he feared a political insurrection from the Jews led by Jesus, since Jesus was a descendant of King David. The Jewish priests, on the other hand, viewed Jesus as a great teacher and prophet. They washed their hands of the situation when Pilate decided to condemn Jesus to death. This, to me, makes more sense. A lot of anti-semitism has arisen from the official gospel versions. It makes more sense that a powerful and fearful government official would condemn Jesus to death, not the leaders of his own religion. Jesus, was after all, a Jewish reformer and did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. I like this book. Buy it and read it with an open mind and open heart.