Recently I read the 1894 book, “The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ” by Nikolai Aleksandrovich Notovich, that was supposedly to contain a translation of a Buddhist text about Issa (Jesus) traveling to the East. Scholars believe this book to be complete BS. Supposedly this text existed at a monastery and the author claimed to have someone read it to him (since he couldn’t read it himself) and he wrote down what the texts said. Now there are some differences in what is presented and what is in the “canon”, most noticeably that in this version, it is Pilate who wants Issa killed, and even after the death of Issa, it was Pilate’s men who took the body after it was in the tomb that unintentionally made others to believe the body was resurrected. Whoops! Even if the story is all fabricated, is there any wisdom to be found? When I read these types of texts, I rarely take any of it literally and not too concerned about the “historical accuracy” of them. But if there is some kind of gnosis that can be found, an universal truth if you will, then that’s what I am after. Well, I did find such in this text, particularly chapter XII, verses 9 through 21. This section has Issa talking about women and their role in the universe. I really like what he says. See below:
9. Then said Issa: "It is not good for a son to push away his mother, then he may occupy the place which belongs to her. Whoso doth not respect his mother - the most sacred being after his God - is unworthy of the name of son." 10. "Hearken to what I say to you: Respect woman; for in her we see the mother of the universe, and all the truth of divine creation is to come through her." 11. "She is the fount of everything good and beautiful, as she is also the germ of life and death. Upon her man depends in all his existence, for she is his moral and natural support in his labors" 12. "In pain and suffering she brings you forth; in the sweat of her brow she watches over your growth, and until her death you cause her greatest anxieties. Bless her and adore her, for she is your only friend and support on earth." 13. "Respect her; defend her. In so doing you will gain for yourself her love; you will find favor before God, and for her sake many sins will be remitted to you." 14. "Love your wives and respect them, for they will be the mothers of tomorrow and later the grandmothers of a whole nation." 15. "Be submissive to the wife; her love ennobles man, softens his hardened heart, tames the wild beast in him and changes it to a lamb." 16. "Wife and mother are the priceless treasures which God has given to you. They are the most beautiful ornaments of the universe, and from them will be born all who will inhabit the world." 17. "Even as the Lord of Hosts separated the light from the darkness, and the dry land from the waters, so does woman possess the divine gift of calling forth out of man's evil nature all the good that is in him." 18. "Therefore I say unto you, after God, to woman must belong your best thoughts, for she is the divine temple where you will most easily obtain perfect happiness." 19. "Draw from this temple your moral force. There you will forget your sorrows and your failures, and recover the love necessary to aid your fellow men." 20. "Suffer her not to be humiliated, for by humiliating her you humiliate yourselves, and lose the sentiment of love, without which nothing can exist here on earth." 21. "Protect your wife, that she may protect you - you and all your household. All that you do for your mothers, your wives, for a widow, or for any other woman in distress, you will do for your God."
Some good stuff there!
If you are curious about the book, it’s not too big. A little over 100 pages and most of the book is about the author’s travels in the area, and I must say, that was really interesting. I found that more intriguing than the “lost scripture” aspect. The book is an easy read and I noticed on youtube there are several “audiobook” versions if you prefer that route. Amazon has copies of modern reprints for very cheap. I picked up the version that has the cover picture that I have featured on this post.
bP
Culmination of Wisdom 