Chinese Gospels: "The Jesus Sutras -- Rediscovering the Lost Scrolls of Taoist Christianity", By Martin Palmer
Martin Palmer on the discovery: "In 1907, explorers discovered a vast treasure-trove of ancient scrolls, silk paintings, and artifacts dating from the fifth to eleventh centuries A.D. in a long-sealed cave in a remote region of China. Among them, written in Chinese, were scrolls that recounted a history of Jesus' life and teachings in beautiful Taoist concepts and imagery that were unknown in the West."
What are the Jesus Sutras? Some monks affiliated with the Assyrian Church of the East left Persia and traveled to China in the year 635, and established a small community inside China. Eventually this group evolved into what was known as "Da Qin", "the Luminous Religion" or "Church of the Light". The phrase "Church of the Light" was also used by the Manichaean Gnostics of the East, but the contents of these scrolls known as the Jesus Sutras reveal a form of Christianity influenced by Taoism and Buddhism.
Meditation in the Jesus Sutras from China
I find these verses to be absolutely delightful. They eloquently speak of stillness and mental tranquility as being the gateway to inner wisdom and enlightenment:
To be pure and still means to be open to purity and stillness -- as a result you can intuit the truth.
Doing creates movement which results in anxiety: Then it is impossible to find Rest and Contentment.
This is why I teach no wanting and doing without doing. It stops you thinking about things which disturb you, Then you can enter into the source of pure empty being.
Detach yourself from what disturbs and distracts you, And be as pure as one who breathes in purity and emptiness. This state is the gateway to enlightenment -- It is the Way to Peace and Happiness.
Original Nature, Not Original Sin
In the Jesus Sutras are many verses mentioning "original nature":
Supreme King, Will of Ages, Compassionate Joyous Lamb Loving all who suffer Fearless as You strive for us Free us of the karma of our lives, Bring us back to our original nature Delivered from all danger.
Taoist Christianity: Prayer from the Jesus Sutras
The laws of compassion save us all, echoing through the world like a tolling, golden bell. Great Holy Lawgiver, you bring us back to our original nature, and the souls that are saved are countless. Divine compassion lifts them up from the dust, redeeming them from the saddened realm of ghosts.
The hundred ways bring us clarity and kind-hearted mercy, and now I draw close to our Holy Compassionate Father, the One who creates salvation. See the angelic spirits crossing the ocean of Darima. We know to practice peace in our hearts through You. This whole gathering unites in singing to You, Honoured One, and the great law is now the heavenly wheel of returning to You.
-- The Jesus Sutras: Rediscovering the Lost Religion of Taoist Christianity, Martin Palmer
Translation:
1 Christian liturgy in praise of the Three Sacred Powers
2 The highest skies are in love with You. 3 The great Earth opens its palms in peace. 4 0ur truest being is anchored in Your Purity. S You are Allaha: Compassionate Father of the Three.
6 Everything praises you, sounding its true note. 7 All the Enlightened chant praises -- Every being takes its refuge in You And the Light of Your Holy Compassion frees us all.
8 Beyond knowing, beyond words You are the Truth, steadfast for all time. 9 Compassionate Father, Radiant Son, Pure Wind King-three in one.
10 In the midst of kings and emperors, You are supreme Among the World Famous, You are Lord of Everything.
11 You live perpetually in Light The Light which enters every sphere. 12 Yet you have never been seen No eye can see Your Form Or Your Unclouded Nature.
13 Among all spirits You alone are unchanging Making all that is good, beyond reckoning. 14 The root and essence -- the thing itself! 15 Today I reflect on Your Compassion and Grace, I delight in Your Delight which covers our land Messiah, Great Holy Son of the Honored One As countless of the Suffering are saved --
16 Supreme King, Will of Ages, Compassionate Joyous Lamb Loving all who suffer Fearless as You strive for us Free us of the karma of our lives, Bring us back to our original nature Delivered from all danger.
17 Divine Son invited To stand on the right of the Father This Altar exceeds all others -- Great Messiah: hear our prayers Send Your raft of salvation To save us from the burning streams!
18 Great Teacher, I stand in awe of the Father. 19 Great Teacher, I am awed by the Holy Lord. 20 Great Teacher, I am speechless before the King of Dharma. 21 Great Teacher, I am dazzled by the Enlightened Mind- Great Teacher, You who do everything to save us.
22 Everything looks to You, without thinking. 23 Shower us with Your Healing Rain! 24 Help us to overcome, give life to what has withered, And water the roots of kindness in us. 25 Great Holy World-Honored One, Messiah, as we love Our Father, Boundless Sea of Compassion And the Clean Pure Wind Whose clarity cleanses through the Law Reaching beyond all grace.
26 Da Qin Religion of Light Sutra of Praise to the Three Powers (Father, Messiah/Son, and Holy Spirit).
Also See: The Manichaeans — The Prophet Mani
Manichaean Writings at Gnosis.org: http://gnosis.org/library/manis.htm
Manichaean Psalms: http://manichaeanchurch.org/en/kingdomoflightchurch/2014/11/14/the-manichaean-psalms
Psalms of Thomas: http://gnosis.org/library/manithomas.htm
Wikipedia Entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaeism
Parthian Hymns: http://www.azargoshnasp.net/languages/Pahlavi/Parthianhymns.pdf
