Resurrection

==Disappearances (as distinct from resurrection)==
{{See also|Entering heaven alive}}
As knowledge of different religions has grown, so have claims of bodily disappearance of some religious and mythological figures. In [[ancient Greek religion]], this was a way the gods made some physically immortal, including such figures as [[Cleitus (mythology)|Cleitus]], [[Ganymede (mythology)|Ganymede]], [[Menelaus]], and [[Tithonus]].<ref>Rohde ''Psyche'', 55-87; Endsjø ''Greek Resurrection Beliefs'', 64-72.</ref> After his death, [[Cycnus]] was changed into a [[swan]] and vanished. In his chapter on [[Romulus]] from [[Parallel Lives]], [[Plutarch]] criticises the continuous belief in such disappearances, referring to the allegedly miraculous disappearance of the historical figures Romulus, Cleomedes of Astypalaea, and [[Croesus]]. In ancient times, Greek and Roman pagan similarities were explained by the early Christian writers, such as [[Justin Martyr]], as the work of demons, with the intention of leading Christians astray.<ref>Justin Martyr, [[Dialogue with Trypho]].</ref>

In the Buddhist [[Epic of King Gesar]], also spelled as Geser or Kesar, at the end, chants on a mountain top and his clothes fall empty to the ground.<ref>[[Alexandra David-Neel]], and Lama Yongden, ''The Superhuman Life of Gesar of Ling'', Rider, 1933, While still in oral tradition, it is recorded for the first time by an early European traveler.</ref> The body of the first Guru of the [[Sikh]]s, [[Guru Nanak Dev]], is said to have disappeared and flowers left in place of his dead body.<ref>Shukla, A. (2019). The Politics of Kartarpur Corridor and India-Pakistan Relations. Indian Council of World Affairs, 10, 1-8.</ref>

[[FitzRoy Somerset, 4th Baron Raglan|Lord Raglan]]'s [[The Hero Pattern|Hero Pattern]] lists many religious figures whose bodies disappear, or have more than one [[sepulchre]].<ref>[[Otto Rank]], [[FitzRoy Somerset, 4th Baron Raglan|Lord Raglan]], and [[Alan Dundes]], ''In Quest of the Hero'', Princeton University Press, 1990</ref> B. Traven, author of ''[[The Treasure of the Sierra Madre]]'', wrote that the [[Inca]] [[Virococha]] arrived at Cusco (in modern-day Peru) and the Pacific seacoast where he walked across the water and vanished.<ref>B. Traven, ''The Creation of the Sun and Moon'', Lawerence Hill Books, 1977</ref> It has been thought that teachings regarding the purity and incorruptibility of the hero's human body are linked to this phenomenon. Perhaps, this is also to deter the practice of disturbing and collecting the hero's remains. They are safely protected if they have disappeared.<ref>See: Michael Paterniti, ''Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip Across America with Einstein's Brain'', The Dial Press, 2000</ref>

The first such case mentioned in the Bible is that of [[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]] (son of [[Jared (ancestor of Noah)|Jared]], great-grandfather of [[Noah]], and father of [[Methuselah]]). Enoch is said to have lived a life where he "walked with God", after which "he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:1–18).<ref>{{bibleverse-lb||Genesis|5:18-24|HE}}</ref> In [[Deuteronomy]] (34:6) [[Moses]] is secretly buried. [[Elijah]] vanishes in a whirlwind [[2 Kings]] (2:11). In the [[Synoptic Gospels]], after hundreds of years these two earlier Biblical heroes suddenly reappear, and are reportedly seen walking with Jesus, then again vanish.<ref>[[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] (9:2–8), [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] (17:1–8) and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] (9:28–33)</ref> In the [[Gospel of Luke]], the last time Jesus is seen (24:51) he leaves his disciples by [[Ascension of Jesus|ascending into the sky]]. This ascension of Jesus was a “disappearance” of sorts as recorded by Luke but was after the physical resurrection occurring several days before.