Jesus

Jesus in India

The hypothesis that Jesus travelled to India as a young man has been around for centuries, but in recent years there has been renewed interest. Proponents of this theory cite various sources, including ancient Indian texts, Christian scriptures and writings by early Christian scholars.

The Russian scholar Nikolai Notovich was the first European scholar to suggest that Christ may have travelled to India. In 1887, the Russian scholar and orientalist Notovitch arrived in Kashmir on one of his many trips to the East.

At the Zoji La Pass, Notovitch was a guest of a Buddhist monastery, where a monk told him about a bodhisattva saint named Issa. Notovitch was struck by the remarkable parallel between Issa’s teachings and martyrdom and the life, teachings and crucifixion of Christ.

According to the manuscript preserved in the monastery, Jesus did not die on the cross, but travelled for some 16 years in Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan and India. Finally he arrived with Mary at a place near Kashmir, where Mary died. After many years of teaching in Kashmir to a grateful population, which revered him as a great prophet, reformer and saint, he died and was buried in a tomb in Kashmir.

One of the most prominent contemporary exponents of the Jesus in India theory is the German theologian and Indologist Holger Kersten. In his book “Jesus lived in India”, Kersten presents a wealth of evidence to support his claim. He claims that Jesus travelled to India in his early twenties to study with Buddhist monks and Hindu gurus.

The evidence he finds leads to the following startling events: in his youth, Jesus followed the ancient silk route to India. There he studied Buddhism, accepted its teachings and became a spiritual master. Jesus survived the crucifixion. After the resurrection, he returned to India, where he died in old age. Jesus was buried in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, where he is still venerated as a saint. The tomb of Jesus still exists in Kashmir.”

Indian writer Ashwini Kumar Dutt has also supported the theory that Jesus travelled to India. Kersten’s book “Jesus Lived in India” provides detailed support for the theory, while Dutt’s book “The Unknown Life of Jesus” explores the possibility that Jesus may have studied under Buddhist sages.

Kersten bases his theory on several sources, including:

The Gospel of Thomas, a Gnostic text discovered in Egypt in 1945. The Gospel of Thomas contains sayings attributed to Jesus that are not found in the canonical Gospels. Many of these sayings have parallels with Buddhist and Hindu teachings.
The apocryphal Gospel of Barnabas, written in the 8th century. The Gospel of Barnabas states that Jesus was not crucified, but fled to India and lived to a ripe old age.
The writings of early Christian scholars such as Origen and Justin Martyr. These scholars wrote about Jesus’ possible travels to India and Tibet.

Kersten also points to the tomb in Srinagar, India, which is traditionally believed to be the tomb of Jesus. The tomb is located in the shrine of Roza Bal and is a popular pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims in India.

While Kersten’s theory has been received with scepticism by mainstream scholars, it has also been supported by a number of respected scientists. In 2003, British scholar Gavin Flood published a book, The Jesus of India, in which he presented a nuanced interpretation of the evidence for Jesus’ Indian journeys. Flood argues that Jesus could have visited India and stayed there for an extended period.

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The idea that Jesus travelled to India during his unrecorded youth is fascinating and controversial. While there is no definitive historical evidence to support this claim, there are a number of theories and accounts that suggest a possible link between Jesus and India.

One of the most prominent Indian proponents of the theory of Jesus’ journey to India was a great 19th century Indian philosopher yogi, Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda, who was a disciple of the famous spiritual teacher Ramakrishna, says that Jesus travelled to India as a teenager to learn yogic philosophy and techniques. He based this idea on his own spiritual experiences and his interpretation of ancient Indian scriptures.

Another prominent figure who supported the idea of Jesus in India was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim sect. Ahmad wrote a book entitled ‘Jesus in India’ in which he presented a number of arguments in support of his claim. He claimed that Jesus survived the crucifixion and travelled to India to study with the Himalayan Jewish sect, the Essenes. He also believed that Jesus’ teachings were influenced by Indian philosophy, particularly Buddhism.

Although some scholars are sceptical about these theories and accounts, they remain of interest to many, especially those who appreciate the cultural and spiritual links between India and Christianity. The idea of Jesus’ travels in India adds another layer to our understanding of his life and teachings, suggesting a deeper understanding of the universal message of love, compassion and spiritual enlightenment.

In addition to the historical and philosophical arguments, there are also some physical sites in India that can be linked to Jesus. One such site is the tomb of Saint Issa, located in the Roza Bal shrine in the city of Srinagar in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. This tomb is revered by many as the burial place of Jesus, who is believed to have lived and died in India for many years.

Another notable site is the Charar-i-Sharif shrine, located in the same Indian state, in the town of Anantnag. This shrine is dedicated to the Sufi saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali, who is believed to have had contact with Jesus during his stay in India.

Although there is no definitive evidence to confirm or deny that Jesus travelled to India, the various theories, accounts and physical locations associated with this belief continue to arouse curiosity and stimulate the imagination. The possibility of Jesus’ contact with India adds another dimension to the study of Jesus’ life and teachings, suggesting a deeper understanding of the universal message of love, compassion and spiritual enlightenment.

However, most scholars and historians reject the theory that Jesus travelled to India. They point out that there is no mention of Jesus’ journey to India in any of the canonical gospels or other early Christian writings. They also argue that there is no archaeological or historical evidence to support the theory.

Despite the lack of evidence, the idea that Jesus travelled to India continues to fascinate people. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of the world’s religions and the possibility of intercultural exchange.

Jesus in India According to Swami Yogananda

Swami Yogananda, Indian master, the founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship, had a deep reverence for Jesus Christ. He considered Jesus to be one of the great avatars,[1] or incarnations of God, who had come to Earth to teach humanity about love, peace, and spiritual awakening.

In his autobiography, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” Yogananda describes a vision he had of Jesus Christ. In the vision, Jesus appeared to him as a radiant being of light and love. Jesus spoke to Yogananda about the importance of spiritual practice and the power of love to transform the world.

Yogananda also wrote extensively about Jesus in his teachings. He considered Jesus to be the embodiment of the Christ consciousness, which is the divine light (in Buddhism: the buddha nature) that resides within every human being. Yogananda taught that by following Jesus’ teachings and cultivating the Christ consciousness within ourselves, we can achieve spiritual liberation and enlightenment.

Here are some quotes from Swami Yogananda about Jesus Christ:

“Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the spirit of God, the perfect expression of love, compassion, and divine wisdom.”
“Jesus came to Earth to reveal the true nature of God, which is love. He taught us that God is not a distant and impersonal force, but rather a loving presence that dwells within every human being.”
“The teachings of Jesus are timeless and universal. They are applicable to all people, regardless of their religious background.”
“By following the teachings of Jesus, we can transform our lives and bring about peace and harmony in the world.”

Swami Yogananda’s teachings about Jesus Christ have inspired countless people to deepen their spiritual practice and to live a life of love, compassion, and service to others. His insights into the teachings of Jesus continue to be relevant and valuable today.

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Swami Yogananda, the founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship, believed that Jesus Christ traveled to India during his lifetime. He based this belief on his studies of ancient Indian scriptures, as well as on his own spiritual experiences. and on the teachings of other yogis and sages.

In his autobiography, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” Yogananda describes a vision he had of Jesus Christ’s return to India. In the vision, Jesus appeared to him as a radiant being of light and love. Jesus spoke to Yogananda about the importance of spiritual practice and the power of love to transform the world.

Yogananda’s belief in Jesus’ travels to India is not universally accepted, but it is a fascinating and thought-provoking idea. If Jesus did indeed travel to India, it would have been a remarkable journey that would have had a profound impact on his spiritual development. It would also have been a significant event in the history of both Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Here are some of the reasons why Yogananda believed that Jesus traveled to India:

The Indian scriptures speak of a great teacher who will come to India from the West. This teacher is often identified with Jesus Christ.
There are many legends and stories about Jesus’ travels to India. These stories are found in both Hindu and Christian traditions.

Whether or not Jesus actually traveled to India, his teachings have had a profound impact on the lives of millions of people around the world. His message of love, compassion, and forgiveness is as relevant today as it ever was.

[1]In Hindu belief, a manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher. The word comes from Sanskrit avatāra ‘descent’. According to Buddhist view, such avatars (nirmanakaya tulkus) living in present days are some highly realized Tibetan Buddhist Masters, such as H. H. Dalai Lama, H. H. Karmapa, H. H. Sakya Trizin, H. H. Drikung Kyabgön, H. E. Shamarpa among others.