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ISBN 978-1-61584-576-7
BY:Arif Khan
This book is vibrant with its colour, large photographs and
short chapters and it is quite simple to find specific sections when looking
for something read previously.
The early chapters talk about the possible ‘pre-existence’
of Jesus (as). There is a fascinating chapter on Edgar Cayce, known as
America’s ‘sleeping prophet’, in which Cayce is quoted as having listed a
number of Biblical characters who were previous advents of Jesus(as). Among
these people listed were the Prophets Enoch (as) and Adam(as). Mantoshe
writes:
‘The rare human beings discussed above, expressed in each life time unique qualities under unique circumstances; remaining in the grace of their Maker they overcame adversity; they embodied peaceful tranquility while walking over hot coals and they kept the name of their Creator on their tongues with sweetness. They were the anointed ones of the ‘Christ’ for their time.’ (p.33)
Mantoshe goes on to look at the events of the early life of
Jesus(as) as described in the Bible. Throughout discussion on Biblical
material there is a genuine love and respect for the material that is rare to
find in books on the historical Jesus(as). Scholars tend to pick holes in so
many elements of the story that the reader is often left wondering what purpose
the narrative serves at all. Mantoshe’s approach is to paint a rich and
coherent portrait of Jesus (as)’s life growing up. She brings in many sources,
but rather than spend pages explaining each source and going through the debate
on authenticity, she presents the text and leaves the rest to the reader. This
makes the story and the book overall far more accessible and enjoyable to read.
Sources are always referenced and the reader has all the tools they need to
delve further into the specific texts themselves.
Following the early life of Jesus (as) we get into the
‘Jesus in India’ material in chapter ten. Mantoshe writes:
‘The bulk of the important formative years of the youth of Jesus, prior to his three-year ministry in Judea and Galilee, are reported to have been spent in the East. It is said that Jesus left Palestine on a pilgrimage to become perfected in the wisdom of the Hunud (i.e. Hindus) of India, the Tibetan Buddhists, and the Zoroastrians of Persia. The scope of His travels is evident by His brief but meaningful interludes in Athens and Egypt as well, where He was exposed to Ancient Wisdom of the Greeks and the Mystery Schools of the Egyptians.Everywhere He went men recognised His divinity, and some called Him ‘My Little Hebrew Master’. However, wherever He saw social injustice and the worship of forces other than God the Father, He spoke up and rebuked men severely, putting His own life in danger.’ (p.115)
There is still much debate about the ‘missing years’ of
Jesus Christ(as). The most famous and talked about document on this period, The
Life of St Issa: Best of the Sons of Men, remains elusive to us today, despite
being seen by many scholars and researchers over the past 120 years. If Jesus(as) did
travel to the East during this time in his life why did he not talk about these
experiences during his ministry? Mantoshe brings in another key source on this
period, the Aquarian Gospel. This text has been the source of controversy for
many decades. There is an upcoming film on the topic of Jesus in India that
draws much of its material and inspiration from it.
Next, the book returns to Palestine and details the
canonical accounts of the ministry of Jesus(as) followed by the
Crucifixion and a close look at Pontius Pilate. The idea of Jesus(as) surviving
the Crucifixion is given a whole chapter, dealt with in a succinct manner.
Again, it is worth saying that despite the briefness of this chapter the range
of views and material covered is impressive and the reader is not left feeling
unsatisfied.
There is a look at Jesus(as) and Mary Magdalene before
we return to looking at the Jesus in India material. Interestingly, there
appears to be a tradition that Yus Asaph, the name that proponents of the
post-Crucifixion ‘Jesus in India’ theory believe Jesus(as) assumed when in
Kashmir, married a local lady called Marjan. Is this yet another Mary in Jesus’
life or could there be some possible link with Mary Magdalene?
Chapter fifteen, entitled Flight to India, marks the
beginning of a very different section of the book. Up until this point we have
been reading the author’s analysis and research of the various events of the
life of Jesus Christ and those who have written about him. From Chapter fifteen
onwards the book becomes a travel journal and the reader becomes part of an
expedition and journey to continue the research in to the life of Jesus(as). We
are now not talking about events that took place 2000 years ago but very much
about events in the present.
There have been many authors who have written about their
research and work in Kashmir (such as Suzanne Olsson, Dr Fida Hassnain, Holger
Kersten and Edward T. Martin) but none have succeeded in bringing to life the
material quite in the way that Mantoshe has. We do not just get descriptions of
her visits to places and people she meets, rather, we have an in-depth look at
her feelings at each stage along with what she is planning next. Her
description of her visits to see Dr Imtiaz Shaheen, Dr Fida Hassnain and the
visit to the Rozabal Tomb in Kashmir are particularly wonderful sections of the
book.
Dr Imtiaz Shaheen and his family are regarded as direct
descendents of Yus Asaph, but just how amazing and fascinating this claim
really is does not strike until one reads Mantoshe’s account of her meeting him
and his family. Small things, such as Mantoshe’s reflections on how Dr Imtiaz
is carrying out modern day healings as a doctor and how this could be seen as
continuing the healings that his alleged great heir once performed, bring the
whole written prose to life.
Mantoshe’s description of her visit to Takht-i-Sulaiman or
the Throne of Solomon in Kashmir is another fascinating part of the story.
Again, other authors have described and visited it but Mantoshe’s recollection
is arguably the most vivid and complete. The section on Notovitch and Roerich
adds depth to ideas already looked at previously, but there is another hidden
surprise and Mantoshe describes in detail her visit to the Roerich Museum in
New York. Once more, the historical research material comes to life as we visit
Daniel Entin, director of the museum and learn more about Roerich’s influence
on the Jesus in India material.
There is still time for a look at both the Mormon belief of
Jesus(as) travelling to the Americas and also the legend of the Virgin of
Guadalupe. We once again are presented with all the relevant material provided
in a succinct way. The book is just over 300 pages long. Given the range of
topics it covers it could easily have grown to 1000 pages in length had the
author not been so skilled at presenting the crux of the matter and not getting
dragged in long technical discussions about particular sources. This approach
is illustrated perfectly just prior to her summarising the legend of the Virgin
of Guadalupe and it is this same underlying spirit that has focused her writing
in other chapters also:
‘There are hundreds of scholarly accounts of the Guadalupe phenomenon, splitting hairs about every aspect of the story. This is not one of them. This is a simple account seen through the eyes of the people who look upon her as their patron saint; it ensues from the domain of faith, not logic.’ (p.323)
Finally, Mantoshe Devji leaves us with her final message on
the topic of Jesus(as) and his life. Her message is one of religious
tolerance and understanding, yet at the same time it is a warning that the
religions of the world need to spend time working together and not driving
themselves further apart and the world closer to destruction.
This is perhaps one of the most complete books on the historical
Jesus(as). Many books try to present numerous different views on Jesus(as) and
the varying beliefs, but surely none has covered all the topics that this book
covers. All the way through, the presentation of both the prose and the
wonderful photos in the book give the reader a rich experience of wise
reflection and comment by the author.
This text is an important contribution to this area of
scholarship and one hopes to see more work from this author building upon the
work she has already completed.
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