What it says on the above inscription is this:
When Jesus Christ was 21 years old, he came to Japan and pursued knowledge of divinity for 12 years. He went back to Judea at age 33 and engaged in his mission. However, at that time, people in Judea would not accept Christ’s preaching. Instead, they arrested him and tried to crucify him on a cross. His younger brother, Isukiri casually took Christ’s place and ended his life on the cross.
Christ, who escaped the crucifixion, went through the ups and downs of travel, and again came to Japan. He settled right here in what is now called Herai Village, and died at the age of 106.
On this holy ground, there is dedicated a burial mound on the right to deify Christ, and a grave on the left to deify Isukiri.
The above description was given in a testament by Jesus Christ.
In high school I remember learning about Mormons. I was dumbfounded that they had the audacity to add another book to the Bible. In college someone described the New Testament to me as The Sequel and I was enlightened. As a young man I learned about Scientology and was outraged that anyone would believe in Xenu and Thetans and atom bombs in volcanoes. Now that I'm well into middle age Christian beliefs seem equally outrageous. I guess I've lost the capacity to be surprised by it. Now I'm merely hopeful that it won't be taught in schools.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's at least as plausible as the current tale - Right?
ReplyDeleteThe younger brother part seems to be related to the stories attributed to the the leaders of the Taiping Rebellion:
"Hakka self-proclaimed mystics named Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing. Hong was an unorthodox Christian convert who declared himself the new Messiah and younger brother of Jesus Christ."
http://www.lycos.com/info/taiping-rebellion.html
EugeneInSanDiego
Sid - As usual, you find the most thought-provoking things!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't any more likely than the canonical account, but it's got a Dan Brown thriller written all over it.