Was Jesus in India?

The Bible gives no up front account of where Jesus was during His teenage years and much of His twenties. So ppl wind up speculating all sorts of things. Yesterday, once again I came across the canard that Jesus was in India during those years, apparently, he learned much of His wisdom and ways while there in India. I want to comment on that now.

1) The first point is this - suppose Jesus was in India - then its simply not an important fact. For if it were an important fact, something good for our edification, then the Bible would have made mention of it.

2) This hoax was popularized by Nicholas Notovich, and further popularized by Elizabeth Clare Prophet who founded the Church Universal and Triumphant - a cult. New Agers are big on this also. Check out the wiki links and you see for yourself, if these folks count as a source of honest and reliable evidence.

2.1) Think about something else. If Notovitch is really right, then this is a discovery of astounding proportions. It is a major archeological find. Yet, no archeologist, Christian or secular seems to think that it is worthy of any attention. Why?

3) Suppose Jesus was in fact in India, learning from Buddhists and such, why do we see no mention of atman or brahman or karma? These are core concepts in eastern religions. Additionally, why don't we see Him teaching people how to meditate or use the sound "Om" ? These are all important, yet there is no mention.

4) On the flip side, why do we see no mention of such in Indian history books? Why is there literally no evidence for his being in India, apart from that of Notovich and his ilk? Archaeological? Historical? Zip.

4) Now consider Mark 6:1-5

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"Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
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4.1) The Bible says that Nazareth was Jesus' hometown. This is where He grew up. Notice that these people are familiar with who He was. That's actually what fuels their surprise and amazement. Jesus lived a quiet life among them for years. He was just in a working/learning mode. These people knew Him. They knew his family.

4.2) Notice they say "Where did this man get these things?" They don't say something like - Wow! He sure learned a lot in India? They don't ask - How can we also go to India? Instead they become angry at Him and in their unbelief will not go to Him with their needs, so that He could heal them.

*** Think about a friend that you had when you were say 13 years old, whom you have lost touch with. Suppose you go back to him or her either now or when you turn say... 30. Now, you tell this friend that you have become an engineer or whatever, made a big discovery, lots of money, bought a Ferrari? Will the friend say "Where did you get these things?" No - your friend will assume you went to college, studied, worked, made money, etc.


5) There is other stuff that can be said... for example,

5.1) John recognizes Jesus during his baptism. He says "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John knew Jesus practically from His birth. He knew Him, because he had spent time with him.

5.2) Jesus' calling of the disciples also says something. Although I cannot confirm it right now, (can't find the book that I need to look up). The people that Jesus called by saying "follow me" had some prior familiarity with him. It was not as if some stranger walked up to them, and said "follow me" and they dropped everything and followed Him.

5.3) Jesus came to fulfill all sorts of thing in the Old Testament. How could He have been doing this if a bulk, no a majority of His life was in India and abroad?