History of Buddhism
Did Jesus study with Buddhists in India?
The story comes from an 1894 book by Nicolas Notovitch. Its claims were investigated and refuted within two years.
Where the story comes from
In 1894 Nicolas Notovitch published La vie inconnue de Jesus-Christ, claiming to have seen a Tibetan manuscript at Hemis monastery in Ladakh about a saint Issa who studied in India. The orientalist Max Muller criticised it the same year, and in 1895 J. Archibald Douglas visited Hemis; the head lama denied that Notovitch had been there or that any such text existed. Douglas published his findings in 1896.
What the Gospels say
The Gospels say Jesus grew up in Nazareth, where people knew him as the carpenter and were surprised by his teaching, which suggests he had not been abroad for years. His teaching is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, not in Buddhist texts.
51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2:51-52 (WEB) · context
2When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him.
Mark 6:2-3 (WEB) · context
16He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, 19and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 20He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:16-21 (WEB) · context
Sources
- J. Archibald Douglas, The Chief Lama of Himis on the Alleged Unknown Life of Christ, The Nineteenth Century 39 (1896).
- F. Max Muller, The Alleged Sojourn of Christ in India, The Nineteenth Century 36 (1894).