Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 199
Chapter Thirteen—Yus Asaph and Jesus 199 about Yus Asaf in the romance of Barlaam and Josaphat are similar to the events of Buddha’s life, the name of Yus Asaf becomes sus- ceptible of explanation and must be another form of Bodhisattva. Likewise Dr. McDonald writes: The discovery that the Joasaph or Josaphat of our story was none other than Buddha was made at the same time and independently of one another, by French, German and English scholars. The writer himself admits that the story came from India. Anyone can recognise it as none other than that of Buddha. 1 Further it is said, ‘As a matter of fact, Barlaam is himself a variant of the Buddha, and thus a doublet of Josaphat. ’ 2 It should be remembered that the Promised Messiah’s source of information concerning the tomb was not the story of Barlaam and Josaphat. However, if the European writers are justified in taking Josaphat for Buddha, it will be equally justifiable for us to take him for Jesus. It should not be forgotten also that the Yus Asaph of Srinagar was a prophet of God, not a mere saint (every prophet is a saint, but not vice versa) or disciple of a prophet. The issue, therefore, lies between the two: the Yus Asaph of Srinagar was either Buddha or Jesus Christ. He cannot be Buddha. Firstly, because Buddha did not die in Srinagar, and his body was not 1. Macdonald: The Story of Barlaam and Joasaph, Introduction p. iii. Calcutta, 1895. 2. Joseph Jacobs: Barlaam and Josaphat, Introduction, p. xiix. London, 1895.