T A O P A T T A The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles
Non-Christian Ascetic Allegory and Hellenic Parody ? The embodied (Soul) who has controlled his nature having renounced all actions by the mind dwells at ease in the City of Nine Gates, neither working nor causing work to be done. --- Bhagvad Gita 5:13
Structure of Original Source Text
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia

TAOPATTA - Original Structure (c.348 CE)

1	[...] which [...] purpose	101
2	[... after ...] us [...] apostles [...].	101
3	We sailed [...] of the body.	101
4	Others were not anxious in their hearts.	101
5	And in our hearts, we were united.	101
6	We agreed to fulfill the ministry to which the Lord appointed us.	101
7	And we made a covenant with each other.	101
8	We went down to the sea at an opportune moment, which came to us from the Lord.	101
9	We found a ship moored at the shore ready to embark, and we spoke with the sailors of the ship about our coming aboard with them.	105
10	They showed great kindliness toward us as was ordained by the Lord.	101
11	And after we had embarked, we sailed a day and a night.	105
12	After that, a wind came up behind the ship and brought us to a small city in the midst of the sea.	101
13	And I, Peter, inquired about the name of this city from residents who were standing on the dock.	104
14	A man among them answered, saying, "The name of this city is Habitation, that is, Foundation [...] endurance."	12
15	And the leader among them holding the palm branch at the edge of the dock.	12
16	And after we had gone ashore with the baggage, I went into the city, to seek advice about lodging.	105
17	A man came out wearing a cloth bound around his waist, and a gold belt girded it.	11
18	Also a napkin was tied over his chest, extending over his shoulders and covering his head and his hands.	11
19	I was staring at the man, because he was beautiful in his form and stature.	11
20	There were four parts of his body that I saw: the soles of his feet and a part of his chest and the palms of his hands and his visage.	11
21	These things I was able to see.	11
22	A book cover like (those of) my books was in his left hand.	11
23	A staff of styrax wood was in his right hand.	11
24	His voice was resounding as he slowly spoke, crying out in the city, "Pearls! Pearls!"	1
25	I, indeed, thought he was a man of that city.	11
26	I said to him, "My brother and my friend!"	105
27	He answered me, then, saying, "Rightly did you say, 'My brother and my friend.'	105
28	What is it you seek from me?"	1
29	I said to him, "I ask you about lodging for me and the brothers also, because we are strangers here."	105
30	He said to me, "For this reason have I myself just said, 'My brother and my friend,' because I also am a fellow stranger like you."	105
31	And having said these things, he cried out, "Pearls! Pearls!"	1
32	The rich men of that city heard his voice.	1001
33	They came out of their hidden storerooms.	1001
34	And some were looking out from the storerooms of their houses.	1001
35	Others looked out from their upper windows.	1001
36	And they did not see (that they could gain) anything from him, because there was no pouch on his back nor bundle inside his cloth and napkin.	1001
37	And because of their disdain they did not even acknowledge him.	1001
38	He, for his part, did not reveal himself to them.	11
39	They returned to their storerooms, saying, "This man is mocking us."	1001
40	And the poor of that city heard his voice, and they came to the man who sells this pearl.	12
41	They said, "Please take the trouble to show us the pearl so that we may, then, see it with our (own) eyes.	12
42	For we are the poor.	12
43	And we do not have this [...] price to pay for it.	12
44	But show us that we might say to our friends that we saw a pearl with our (own) eyes."	12
45	He answered, saying to them, "If it is possible, come to my city, so that I may not only show it before your (very) eyes, but give it to you for nothing."	1
46	And indeed they, the poor of that city, heard and said, "Since we are beggars, we surely know that a man does not give a pearl to a beggar, but (it is) bread and money that is usually received.	12
47	Now then, the kindness which we want to receive from you (is) that you show us the pearl before our eyes.	12
48	And we will say to our friends proudly that we saw a pearl with our (own) eyes" - because it is not found among the poor, especially such beggars (as these).	12
49	He answered (and) said to them, "If it is possible, you yourselves come to my city, so that I may not only show you it, but give it to you for nothing."	1
50	The poor and the beggars rejoiced because of the man who gives for nothing.	12
51	The men asked Peter about the hardships.	102
52	Peter answered and told those things that he had heard about the hardships of the way.	102
53	Because they are interpreters of the hardships in their ministry.	102
54	He said to the man who sells this pearl, "I want to know your name and the hardships of the way to your city because we are strangers and servants of God.	11
55	It is necessary for us to spread the word of God in every city harmoniously."	101
56	He answered and said, "If you seek my name, Lithargoel is my name, the interpretation of which is, the light, gazelle-like stone.	10
57	"And also (concerning) the road to the city, which you asked me about, I will tell you about it.	1
58	No man is able to go on that road, except one who has forsaken everything that he has and has fasted daily from stage to stage.	1
59	For many are the robbers and wild beasts on that road.	1
60	The one who carries bread with him on the road, the black dogs kill because of the bread.	1
61	The one who carries a costly garment of the world with him, the robbers kill because of the garment.	1
62	The one who carries water with him, the wolves kill because of the water, since they were thirsty for it.	1
63	The one who is anxious about meat and green vegetables, the lions eat because of the meat.	1
64	If he evades the lions, the bulls devour him because of the green vegetables."	1
65	When he had said these things to me, I sighed within myself, saying, "Great hardships are on the road!	102
66	If only Jesus would give us power to walk it!"	10
67	He looked at me since my face was sad, and I sighed.	103
68	He said to me, "Why do you sigh, if you, indeed, know this name "Jesus" and believe him?	10
69	He is a great power for giving strength.	10
70	For I too believe in the Father who sent him."	10
71	I replied, asking him, "What is the name of the place to which you go, your city?"	104
72	He said to me, "This is the name of my city, 'Nine Gates.'	1
73	Let us praise God as we are mindful that the tenth is the head."	1
74	After this I went away from him in peace.	102
75	As I was about to go and call my friends, I saw waves and large high walls surrounding the bounds of the city.	12
76	I marveled at the great things I saw.	102
77	I saw an old man sitting and I asked him if the name of the city was really Habitation.	104
78	He [...], "Habitation [...]."	12
79	He said to me, "You speak truly, for we inhabit here because we endure."	12
80	I responded, saying, "Justly [...] have men named it [...], because (by) everyone who endures his trials, cities are inhabited, and a precious kingdom comes from them, because they endure in the midst of the apostasies and the difficulties of the sto	102
81	So that in this way, the city of everyone who endures the burden of his yoke of faith will be inhabited, and he will be included in the kingdom of heaven."	102
82	I hurried and went and called my friends so that we might go to the city that he, Lithargoel, appointed for us.	11
83	In a bond of faith we forsook everything as he had said (to do).	101
84	We evaded the robbers, because they did not find their garments with us.	102
85	We evaded the wolves, because they did not find the water with us for which they thirsted.	102
86	We evaded the lions, because they did not find the desire for meat with us.	102
87	We evaded the bulls [...] they did not find green vegetables.	102
88	A great joy came upon us and a peaceful carefreeness like that of our Lord.	10
89	We rested ourselves in front of the gate, and we talked with each other about that which is not a distraction of this world.	102
90	Rather we continued in contemplation of the faith.	102
91	As we discussed the robbers on the road, whom we evaded, behold Lithargoel, having changed, came out to us.	11
92	He had the appearance of a physician, since an unguent box was under his arm, and a young disciple was following him carrying a pouch full of medicine.	11
93	We did not recognize him.	104
94	Peter responded and said to him, "We want you to do us a favor, because we are strangers, and take us to the house of Lithargoel before evening comes."	105
95	He said, "In uprightness of heart I will show it to you.	1
96	But I am amazed at how you knew this good man.	11
97	For he does not reveal himself to every man, because he himself is the son of a great king.	1
98	Rest yourselves a little so that I may go and heal this man and come (back)."	1
99	He hurried and came (back) quickly.	1
100	He said to Peter, "Peter!"	10
101	And Peter was frightened, for how did he know that his name was Peter?	103
102	Peter responded to the Savior, "How do you know me, for you called my name?"	10
103	Lithargoel answered, "I want to ask you who gave the name Peter to you?"	10
104	He said to him, "It was Jesus Christ, the son of the living God.	10
105	He gave this name to me."	10
106	He answered and said, "It is I!	1
107	Recognize me, Peter."	1
108	He loosened the garment, which clothed him - the one into which he had changed himself because of us - revealing to us in truth that it was he.	1
109	We prostrated ourselves on the ground and worshipped him.	103
110	We comprised eleven disciples.	104
111	He stretched forth his hand and caused us to stand.	103
112	We spoke with him humbly.	103
113	Our heads were bowed down in unworthiness as we said, "What you wish we will do.	103
114	But give us power to do what you wish at all times."	104
115	He gave them the unguent box and the pouch that was in the hand of the young disciple.	1
116	He commanded them like this, saying, "Go into the city from which you came, which is called Habitation.	104
117	Continue in endurance as you teach all those who have believed in my name, because I have endured in hardships of the faith.	10
118	I will give you your reward.	1
119	To the poor of that city give what they need in order to live until I give them what is better, which I told you that I will give you for nothing."	1
120	Peter answered and said to him, "Lord, you have taught us to forsake the world and everything in it.	101
121	We have renounced them for your sake.	101
122	What we are concerned about (now) is the food for a single day.	105
123	Where will we be able to find the needs that you ask us to provide for the poor?"	105
124	The Lord answered and said, "O Peter, it was necessary that you understand the parable that I told you!	104
125	Do you not understand that my name, which you teach, surpasses all riches, and the wisdom of God surpasses gold, and silver and precious stone(s)?"	10
126	He gave them the pouch of medicine and said, "Heal all the sick of the city who believe in my name."	10
127	Peter was afraid to reply to him for the second time.	103
128	He signaled to the one who was beside him, who was John: "You talk this time."	103
129	John answered and said, "Lord, before you we are afraid to say many words.	103
130	But it is you who asks us to practice this skill.	104
131	We have not been taught to be physicians.	104
132	How then will we know how to heal bodies as you have told us?"	104
133	He answered them, "Rightly have you spoken, John, for I know that the physicians of this world heal what belongs to the world.	1
134	The physicians of souls, however, heal the heart.	1
135	Heal the bodies first, therefore, so that through the real powers of healing for their bodies, without medicine of the world, they may believe in you, that you have power to heal the illnesses of the heart also.	1
136	"The rich men of the city, however, those who did not see fit even to acknowledge me, but who reveled in their wealth and pride - with such as these, therefore, do not dine in their houses nor be friends with them, lest their partiality influence you	1001
137	For many in the churches have shown partiality to the rich, because they also are sinful, and they give occasion for others to sin.	1001
138	But judge them with uprightness, so that your ministry may be glorified, and that my name also, may be glorified in the churches."	1001
139	The disciples answered and said, "Yes, truly this is what is fitting to do."	1001
140	They prostrated themselves on the ground and worshipped him.	103
141	He caused them to stand and departed from them in peace.	103
142	Amen.	105

Core Ascetic Pearl: Ancient Pre-Christian Heart of TAOPATTA

The embodied (Soul) who has controlled his nature
having renounced all actions by the mind
dwells at ease in the City of Nine Gates,
neither working nor causing work to be done.

--- Bhagvad Gita 5:13

TAOPATTA Index | Thesis | Mountain Man Graphics