To: Richnorth who wrote (335 ) 3/30/1998 5:49:00 PM From: Richnorth Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 1615
A couple of recent posts mentioned that the peregrinations of Jesus in Tibet were documented in a number of ancient manuscripts in the lamaseries of that country. I append below an excerpt from "Unto Thee I Grant" a book that was translated in 1749 from an ancient Tibetan manuscript that predates the reachings of Jesus. ************************************************************ Chapter VIIContentment "Forget not, O man! that thy present station on earth is appointed by the wisdom of the Eternal; who knoweth thy heart, who seeth the vanity of all thy wishes, and who often, in mercy, denieth thy requests. Yet for all reasonable desires, for all honest endeavours, his benevolence hath established, in the nature of things, a probability of success. The uneasiness thou feelest, the misfortunes thou bewaileth, behold the root from whence they spring, even thine own folly, thine own pride, thine own distempered fancy. Murmur therefore not at the dispensation of God, but correct thine own heart: neither say within thyself, if I had wealth or power, or leisure, I should be happy; for know, they all of them bring to their several possessors their peculiar inconveniences. The poor man seeth not the vexations and anxieties of the rich, he feeleth not the difficulties and perplexities of power, neither knoweth he the wearisomeness of leisure; and therefore it is he that repineth at his own lot. But envy not the appearance of happiness in any man, for thou knoweth not his secret griefs. To be satisfied with a little, is the greatest wisdom; and he that increaseth his riches, increaseth his cares; but a contented mind is a hidden treasure, and trouble findeth it not.Yet if thou sufferest not the allurements of fortune to rob thee of justice, or temperance or charity, or modesty, even riches themselves shall not make thee unhappy. (The emphasis here is mine. RN) But hence shalt thou learn, that the cup of felicity, pure and unmixed, is by no means a draught for mortal man. Goodness is the race which God hath set him to run, and happiness the goal; which none can arrive at till he hath finished his course*, and receive his crown in the mansions of eternity." ********************************* N.B. *The Tibetans believe in reincarnation. RN