Stray_Dog_Blog: The Other Tomb of Jesus Christ

Many of us in the west know the story of Christ and where he was buried, its referred to as the Holy Sepulchre. It was the place where a great stone rolled to the door, outside the walls of Jerusalem, in the place called Calvary. We grew up hearing this story countless times, for the simple fact that this story correlates to the telling in the Biblical documents we have collected and amassed, known as the Bible. But it shouldn't come as a shock to some, that other nations (and in fact other religions) have had to contend with the figure of Christ. And in doing so, many have laid claim to being the place where the 'true' tomb of Christ exist. And this is where our journey begins.....

The Ahmadis believed that Jesus, or as they call him Yuz Asaf survived the crucifixion and subsequently traveled to Kashmir, where he lived, preached and died. Similar beliefs are held about Yuz Asaf by a wide variety of people and groups, including some hindu groups that see him as Isa Masih, a Hindu Saint. The belief is held because in the Hindu literature known as the Bhavishya Maha Purana there contains some ten verses indicating that Jesus was in India/Kashmir during the reign of King Shalivahan, which has been placed within 39 to 50 C.E. Jesus is said to have spoken to the King and gave his teachings in full, there after his teaching where included alongside Hindu teachings. Other local beliefs about Yuz Asaf include that he married a woman called Marjam (that is, Mary) who bore him a number of children, and that he lived to be between 105-110 years old before he died. It is also claimed that Jesus' mother, Mary, died when he was 38 years old, and is buried nearby in the town Murree in Pakistan, where her burial place is called Mai Mari da Ashtan. There is also the Yusufzai, which is the name of a tribe in Afghanistan who still maintain ancient Israelite customs. To them the word means 'child or children of Joseph.'

It is worth noting that in Islam, Jesus' name is Isa as well. Moreover, Islam in general doesn't even believe that Jesus underwent the crucifixion, but that someone substituted for him on the cross (Some say one of his brothers). Also, In Iranian traditions by Agha Mustafai, it is said that Yuz Asaf came there from the west and preached, causing many to believe in him. It is said he also taught a strange form of reincarnation there. [See : (John, 1:21), (Matthew 11:14.) and (Matthew 17:12,13). Where Elijah became John the Baptist/Second chapter of II Kings, Elijah does not die, but rather is called up into heaven while yet alive.] Within northwest Afghanistan, centered in the city of Herat, an explorer of Sufism, O. M. Burke, came across a sect of some 1000 people who are devotees of Yuz Asaf, whom they also knew as Isa, son of Maryam.Their tradition includes Isa, the prophet from Israel, having escaped the cross, traveled to India and settled in Kashmir.

So there we have it, many groups of peoples all thru out Asia saying that Jesus went to Kashmir, taught, lived, had children and died in old age. But is there any sort of inscription on the so-called "Tomb of Christ"? Indeed there is, in Persian script the inscription says : "At this time Yuz Asaf proclaimed his prophethood. Year fifty and four [in the reign of King Gopadatta]. and He is Jesus, prophet of the Children of Israel." But what of it? The correct dating and significance of the year 54 is not clear. The year has been placed within the reign of King Gopadatta at 107 C.E. by Kersten, and at 78 C.E. by Professor Fida Hassnain, director of archives and antiquities in Kashmir. Very interesting indeed. Sadly, not many western minds take any of this seriously. So no outside sources have made much of these legends or even tried to partake in serious research on the subject of the tomb. But nonetheless, if this is in conflict with your system of belief (Christianity) , just remember next time you're speaking to a Muslim, Hindu, Iranian or Sufi what John 3:16 truly says : "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Perhaps this whole salvation thing is larger then your first glance....