The Oriental Christ by Paramhansa Yogananda

Jesus was an Oriental, by birth and blood and training. The Wise Men of the East, or East India, came to confer about Him when He was born, knowing Him to be one of the greatest message-bearers of Truth.

I am not saying that Jesus Christ learned everything from the Great Masters of India, but it has been definitely proven that Jesus was connected with the High Initiates and the Masters of India.

In the Unknown Life of Christ, by Nicholas Notovitch, the Russian author tells how he went to Tibet, hoping to study Tibetan literature, hand-written on papyrus scrolls. Because of the secretiveness of the Lamas, it was impossible to find a trace of what he wanted; but a strange miracle happened. Just when he was returning fruitlessly to India, he fell from a cliff and broke his leg, and was taken back to the Monastery to receive the necessary care! The Tibetans are very hospitable to their invited or stricken guests.

While the injured man was recovering, the head lama asked him what he wanted. He said, “Read to me the papyrus scrolls!” From these sacred scrolls he secured conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ’s name was Isa, meaning “Lord,” which afterwards was pronounced as Jesus. He conferred with the Masters on Yoga and great problems of human upliftment, living with them at the Monastery; but at age fifteen, it is said, they tried to get Him married, so he fled. I don’t blame him. But, alas, those who do not marry, repent; and those who do marry, repent. That is why I am glad I am married to the Infinite Nature and Spirit. There is never any hurt and disappointment in that kind of marriage.

The sacred scrolls further revealed that as Jesus Christ was visited by the Wise Men of the East, so He paid them a return visit to Tibet and conferred with the Great Masters. Jesus then went to India to confer with the Masters there; and after preaching the Message in India, he went to Asia Minor. He wanted to spread His message universally.

That is why the West, with all the wonderful devices of the practical Occidental mind, is in the East today, dominating it. But mark you, the Eastern soldiers are not silent. The West has power and strength; but the East is armed with silent philosophy not to conquer lands, but to conquer souls, with love, service, and kindliness.

We are all children of God, we have always been, and will be always. The differences come from prejudices and prejudice is the child of ignorance. We should not be proud of being Americans or Indians or Italians or any other nationality, for that is but an accident of birth. Above all else, we should be proud that we are children of God, made in His Image. Isn’t that the message of Christ?

by Paramhansa Yogananda

From From East West Magazine, 1930

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