Information AboutManichaeism |
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Manichaeism (in Persian آیین مانی ''Aeen e Mani'') was one of the major ancient Religion s of Iranian origin. Though its organized form is mostly extinct today, a revival has been attempted under the name of ''' Neo-Manichaeism '''. However, most of the writings of the founding Prophet Mani have been lost. Some scholars argue that its influence subtly continues in Western Christian thought via Saint Augustine Of Hippo , who converted to Christianity from Manichaeism, which he passionately denounced in his writings, and whose writing continues to be enormously influential among Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox theologians. Because Manichaeism is a faith that teaches Dualism , in modern English the word "manichean" has come to mean dualistic, presenting or viewing things in a "black and white" fashion. ORIGINS The religion was founded in the third century AD by Mani , who reportedly was born in western Persia and lived approximately 210 – 276 AD. The name ''Mani'' is mainly a title and term of respect rather than a personal name. This title was assumed by the founder himself and so completely replaced his personal name that the precise form of the latter is not known. Mani's holy book was called Arzhang and was beautified with paintings. This gave him the title "The Painter". Mani was likely influenced by and Seal Of The Prophets that finalized a succession of men guided by God and included figures such as Zoroaster , Hermes , Plato , Buddha , and Jesus . Early 3rd-4th century Christian writers such as Hippolytus and Epiphanius write about a Scythianus , who visited India around 50 AD from where he brought "the doctrine of the Two Principles". According to these writers, Scythianus' pupil Terebinthus presented himself as a "Buddha" ( "He called himself a Buddas" Isaiah ). Terebinthus went to Palestine and Judaea where he met the Apostles ("becoming known and condemned" Isaia), and ultimately settled in Babylon , where he transmitted his teachings to Mani , thereby creating the foundation of Manicheism . While Manichaeism was spreading, the large existing religious groups such as Christianity and Zoroastrianism were gaining social and political influence. Although having fewer adherents than either group, Manichaeism won the support of many high-ranking political figures. With the aid of the Persian Empire , Mani initiated missionary excursions. After failing to win the favor of the next generation, and having the disapproval of the Zoroastrian clergy, Mani is reported to have died in prison awaiting execution by the Persian Emperor Bahram I . The date of his death is fixed at 276 – 277 AD. In Egypt a minuscule Codex was found and became known via antique dealers in Cairo . It was purchased by the University Of Cologne in 1969 , and two of its scientists Henrichs and Koenen produced the first edition of this ancient manuscript known since as the Cologne Mani-Codex , which they published in four articles in the ''Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik''. The content of the small Papyrus manuscript contained a Greek text describing the life of Mani. From this recent discovery, we know much more about the man who founded one of the most influential world religions of the past. THEOLOGY The most striking principle of Manichee theology is its Dualism , a theme gleaned from the Persian religion of Zoroastrianism . Mani postulated two natures that existed from the beginning: light and darkness. The realm of light lived in peace, while the realm of darkness was in constant fight with itself. The universe is the temporary result of an attack of the realm of darkness on the realm of light, and was created by the Living Spirit, an emanation of the light realm, out of the mixture of light and darkness. The Manichees made every effort to include all known religious traditions in their faith. As a result, they preserved many . Certain Muslim writers claimed it is a prophecy of Jesus regarding Muhammad . A key belief in Manichaeanism is that there is no omnipotent good power. This claim addresses a theoretical part of the (which is composed of Light ) and the bad part is the Body (composed of dark Earth ). The soul defines the person and is incorruptible, but it is under the domination of a foreign power, which addressed the practical part of The Problem of Evil. A human is said to be able to be saved from this power (matter) if they come to know who they are and identify themselves with their soul. Following Mani's travels to the " (Richard Foltz, "Religions of the Silk Road"). In the 4th Century , Ephraim criticized Mani for adopting "the Lie" from India, promoting "two powers which were against each other". In China Manicheanism theology featured structural repetitions of images of woken light liberated from darkness: the Son of God was woken from demonic imprisonment by the Holy Spirit and escaped its darkness; conversion to Manicheanism was depicted both as an awakening and an illumination; and in death the converted spirit would escape the darkness of the body. Converts were only guaranteed salvation if they could continue this repetition and convert another in turn. EXPANSION |
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