Was Jesus a Buddhist?

                         Was jesus a Buddhist? 

The question is not whether Jesus was a Buddhist, but rather the extent to which he was influenced by buddhism. There are numerous textual amd archeological evidence suggesting that jesus had connection to buddhist teachings. Notabily numismatic evidence, allegedly  held by a british museum, support this claim, though it not publicly displayed. 

 The evidence follows two independent lines: The first is historical, and the second is textual. Historical evidence suggested that Jesus was well acquainted with Buddhism. If Jesus did not travel to India, it is plausible that indian influences reached Judea and impacted his teachings. The authentic historical question is not weather he studied Buddhism, but where and to what extent he engaged with it. 

Particularly during his so called  "lost years"(approximately age 12 to 29). The similarities between jesus' teachings and buddhist principle so striking that even is without historical evidence one might suspect  buddhist influence. According to traditions, Jesus, a revered Jewish sage, spent these lost years in india and may have even returned there after surviving the crucifixion.

In the late 19th century, Russian traveler  Nicolas Notovitch claimed that in 1887, while recovering his broken leg at the Hemis monestry in Ladkah, a Tibetan Buddhist monk showed him a large volume of  document titled "the life of Issa". These texts allegedly described jesus' education by yogis in india, nepal and himalyan region during his lost years.

Buddhist texts often refer to Jesus as "Issa-Masih", while Muslims sources use "yusu-Masih" or  similar variations. One record of Jesus' sermons in Kashmir is found in Bhavishya-maha-purana which was authored by sutta in 115 CE. Another record, the tarikh-i-kashmir was written  by a muslim scholar maned Mulla Nadri who refers to  jesus as "yuz-Asaph" Additionally a muslim account by al-sheikh Al-said-us- sadiq's Ikmal-ud-din documents jesus' prescence in india. A historical reference by  Kalhana, dating  to around 1148 CE, describes jesus as "Isana",  a great guru" who impressed  king samdhi-mati. A Persian account from approximately 900 CE by al-shaikh said-us-sudiq, titled Mamal-ud-Din, also memtions jesus in india.

                                          further evidences comes from the "Apocalypse of peter", discovered 1886-87 at Akhmim in Upper Egypt (now housed in the Egyptian Mera in Cairo). This text controversially states that Jesus sat at one of the ten pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka: "As the savior was sitting in the temple in the three hundredth year of the covenant and the agreement of the tenth pillar." A devotional piece, Song of the Yogi by Natha Yogas, includes a verse stating," My friend Ishaihas gone towords Arabia." Another verse in a purana claims, "Having found the sacred image of Eeshai, my name will be established on the earth as Eesha Masiah."Researchers also point to Jesus' presence in India with peter at Ashoka's 13th edic.                      Additionally, numismatic evidence from Punjab depicts Jesus in Buddhist robes, showing nail marks on his palms and feet, alongside an engraving of King Kanishka on the reverse. Unfortunately, the British Museum does not exhibit this artifact.