Picture taken by Jonathan Acuña in 2022
Nicolas Notovitch’s “The Lost Years of Jesus Christ”
Book critique
Jesus stands as the most towering figure within the realm of
Western religious creeds, commanding unparalleled influence in the lives of
many people around the world. The enigma shrouding the “lost years” of His life
intensifies the intrigue surrounding everything that is being said about Him.
As a college literature professor, my penchant lies in delving into literary works
published from the Middle Ages and the 19th Century. And having been
nurtured by my family in the Catholic faith, I encountered "The Unknown
Life of Jesus Christ" a remarkable book that unveils an unconventional and
intriguing perspective on His early life, shedding light on a period often
referred to as the "lost" or "missing years" of His earthly
life. Authored by Russian adventurer, Nicolas Notovitch, the book is based on
his purported discovery of ancient manuscripts during his travels to India and
Nepal in 1887. Notovitch (1890) claimed
that these manuscripts contained an account of Jesus' activities and
experiences during the time not covered in the canonical Gospels, encompassing
His sojourn with Brahmani and subsequent emersion in the teachings of the lamas
in India. Having recently concluded Notovitch’s book, I offered my own simple
and unadorned yet sincere critique and book summary.
In this narrative, Jesus -known as Issa while traveling in
India- is portrayed as a young seeker of wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. Notovitch’s
transcription of his conversation with a lama in a monastery reveals that after
spending His early years in Nazareth, Jesus embarked on a journey of discovery
that took him to various regions in India, Nepal, and Tibet. Various
circumstances compelled him to leave His homeland and family; His age and perceived
readiness for engagement and marriage serving are considered the catalysts for
His departure and sojourning in this area of Asia. During His travels, Jesus
engaged with local scholars, holy men, and spiritual leaders, immersing himself
in the rich tapestry of religious and philosophical traditions that flourished
in that region.
Based on the account of the lama, says Notovitch (1890), Issa (Jesus) acquired proficiency in reading
their sacred scriptures. He engaged in fervent preaching and guidance among the
Shudras, a group often relegated to laboring roles, always linked to servitude
and slavery. In bold stance, Jesus openly criticized the brahmins (priests and
religious figures) and kshatriyas (administrative rulers), accusing them of
distorting the fundamental message of our Creator – one proclaiming the
intrinsic equality of all human beings in the eyes of God. In essence, Notovich’s
narrative account of his transcription of what the lama told him unveils Issa’s
transformative odyssey, portraying a young visionary incarnation of the Buddha
who fearlessly explored and engaged with diverse spiritual traditions, while
advocating for the equality and sanctity of all humanity but especially of
women.
The narrative emphasizes Jesus' capacity for empathy, his
ability to bridge cultural divides, and his dedication to the pursuit of inner
wisdom. The book showcases his commitment to compassion, healing, and his
concern for the welfare of others while being away from home and when He
started His preaching life around Palestine. As Jesus continues his journey, he
accumulates knowledge and engages in meditative practices, and even reportedly
performs miracles that serve as testaments to his spiritual prowess when He is
back in His homeland. The book touches on profound themes of cross-cultural
exchange, religious tolerance, and the universal quest for understanding. It
challenges the notion of a stagnant and isolated religious landscape,
highlighting the dynamic exchange of ideas that could have potentially occurred
during the time Jesus is said to have spent in these Eastern regions.
It's important to acknowledge that the authenticity of Notovitch's
discovery has been met with skepticism and criticism from various sorts of
scholars and theologists. Many scholars question the historical accuracy of the
text, as it significantly deviates from the traditional biblical narrative of
Jesus' life. Some argue that Notovich's work could be a creative interpretation
rather than a direct translation of ancient manuscripts. But what can be stated
about "The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ" is that it has intrigued
both scholars and readers for its alternative perspective on Jesus' early life
and spiritual journey. While the book may not be widely accepted as historical
fact within mainstream Christianity, it continues to be a thought-provoking
exploration of the potential intersections between Eastern spirituality and the
life of Jesus Christ.
To conclude, what really stands out from Notovitch’s book is
these four facts:
|
1 |
Jesus’ phonetically adapted name. Jesus’ name was Yeshua or Y’shua /yə’shu:ə/. The name “Issa” is presented as a
phonetic rendering of Jesus’ name within the local languages of these areas,
intended to make it more accessible to the people He encountered during his
travels. Phonologically speaking, both names do have a similar pronunciation. |
|
2 |
Parallels between Jesus and Buddha’s lives. Based on Notovitch’s account, the lama he interacts with
stated that Issa was one other reincarnation of Buddha. Both Issa (Jesus) and
Sidharta Gautama (the Buddha most of us know about) were born miraculously
under significant celestial signs and destined for great spiritual roles. |
|
3 |
Syncretism of spiritual ideas. In the eyes of the reader, it can be noticed that as Jesus
interacts with scholars and teachers of different faiths, there is a
suggestion of the borrowing of spiritual ideas from these people and their
creeds. In this context, the notion of Jesus and “Issa” could represent a
kind of synthesis of spiritual insights that -of course- include Buddhism. |
|
4 |
Symbolic unity. One may
think of the universality of Buddha or Jesus’ message and the potential unity
of spiritual truths across diverse cultures. For some people this symbolizes
the idea that enlightened beings, regardless of their historical and cultural
contexts, share a common purpose of guiding humanity toward higher
consciousness and understanding. |
It’s important to note that the identification of Jesus as a
reincarnation of Buddha and use of the name “Issa” have never been accepted
within mainstream Christianity and theology. These interpretations are unique
to Notovitch’s narrative presented in “The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ” and
related texts. Of course, and as it was stated above, the book has sparked
debate and controversy, and many scholars and theologists question the
historical accuracy of Notovich’s transcription of the accounts he supposedly
found in India. In other words, these ideas remain more aligned with
alternative and speculative viewpoints rather than established historical or
religious doctrine taught by all Christian denominations.
For those with an affinity for this genre of literature, “The
Unknown Life of Jesus Christ” undoubtedly falls within the category of
thought-provoking reads. Particularly if you have a Christian upbringing, its
contents are poised to linger in your thoughts long after the final page.
Perhaps, one day we’ll all know more about the lost years of Jesus Christ.
Wishing you an engaging and contemplative reading experience!
References
Notovitch, N. (1890). The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ, The Original
Text of Nicolas Notovitch's 1887 Discovery. New York: R.F. Fenno. Retrieved
from
https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Original-Nicolas-Notovitchs-Discovery-ebook/dp/B004TPVKKQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Suggested Reading
Comprehension Exercise
Reading
Task
Instructions: Based on critique,
decide if the following statements regarding its content are true or false. The
answers are provided below.
[1] - Jesus is predominantly known for his influence
in Eastern religious creeds.
True
False
[2] - The book "The
Unknown Life of Jesus Christ" provides a traditional account of Jesus'
life based on canonical Gospels.
True
False
[3] - Nicolas Notovitch claimed to have discovered
ancient manuscripts detailing Jesus' experiences in India and Nepal during his
travels in the late 19th century.
True
False
[4] - In the narrative,
Jesus' departure from his homeland was primarily motivated by his desire for
marriage and engagement.
True
False
[5] - According to Notovitch's account of the lama,
Jesus criticized the brahmins and kshatriyas for their role in distorting the
message of equality in the eyes of God.
True
False
[6] - "The Unknown Life
of Jesus Christ" is widely accepted by mainstream Christianity as
historical fact.
True
False
[7] - According to Notovitch,
Jesus is identified as a reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in
the book.
True
False
[8] - The book emphasizes
Jesus' disinterest in engaging with scholars and spiritual leaders from diverse
faiths during his travels.
True
False
[9] - Notovitch's book
highlights the idea that enlightened beings from different cultures share a
common purpose of guiding humanity towards higher consciousness.
True
False
[10] - Notovitch's work has
never been met with skepticism or criticism by scholars and theologians.
True
False
Answer Key:
[1] – False
Explanation:
Jesus is known for his influence in Western religious creeds.
[2] – False
Explanation: The
book "The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ" provides an unconventional
account of Jesus' life.
[3] – True
Explanation:
Nicolas Notovitch claimed to have discovered ancient manuscripts during his
travels in India and Nepal.
[4] – False
Explanation:
Jesus' departure from his homeland was motivated by reasons other than marriage
and engagement.
[5] – True
Explanation:
Jesus criticized the brahmins and kshatriyas for distorting the message of
equality in the eyes of God.
[6] – False
Explanation:
"The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ" is not widely accepted by
mainstream Christianity as historical fact.
[7] – True
Explanation:
Notovitch's account identifies Jesus as a reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama
(the Buddha) in the book.
[8] – False
Explanation: The
book emphasizes Jesus' engagement with scholars and spiritual leaders from
diverse faiths during his travels.
[9] – True
Explanation:
Notovitch's book suggests the idea of enlightened beings sharing a common
purpose across cultures.
[10] – False
Explanation:
Notovitch's work has indeed been met with skepticism and criticism by scholars
and theologians.
Book Critique - The Unknown... by Jonathan Acuña
