Editing Manichaeism

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:320px;"
! colspan="2" | Manichaeism
|-
! Family
| Gnostic / Iranian
|-
! Origin region
| Sasanian Persia
|-
! Founding period
| 3rd century CE onward; historically widespread, now mostly extinct as an organized world religion
|-
! Estimated adherents
| Historically widespread from the Roman Empire to China; no large continuous public community today.
|}

'''Manichaeism''' is manichaeism was a major late antique world religion founded by Mani, teaching a cosmic dualism between light and darkness and a path of salvation through knowledge, discipline, and liberation of light.

== Overview ==

Manichaeism emerged in the 3rd century CE in the Sasanian Empire and spread widely across the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and China. It combined elements from several religious environments into a missionary religion with scriptures, art, hierarchy, and strict ethical practices. It was persecuted by multiple states and eventually declined, though its influence remained historically significant.

== Key beliefs ==

* Cosmic dualism between Light and Darkness
* The human soul as light trapped in material mixture
* Mani as prophet or apostle of a final universal revelation
* Salvation through knowledge, discipline, and release of light
* A structured community of elect and hearers

== Practices ==

* Fasting and ascetic discipline, especially among the elect
* Confession, prayer, and hymn singing
* Vegetarian and purity practices among advanced members
* Missionary teaching and copying of scriptures
* Support of the elect by lay hearers

== Places of worship ==

* Community meeting house
* Missionary and monastic settings in some regions
* Private and communal prayer spaces

== Sacred texts ==

* Living Gospel
* Treasury of Life
* Kephalaia
* Manichaean hymns and fragments preserved in several languages

== Holidays and observances ==

* Bema festival
* Commemorations of Mani and community rites

== Branches and related traditions ==

* [[Gnosticism]] - A broad category of movements emphasizing salvific knowledge.
* [[Iranian religions]] - A regional and historical family including Zoroastrian and other Iranian traditions.
* [[Ancient religions]] - A historical category for religions of antiquity.

== See also ==

* [[Religion]]
* [[Theology]]
* [[Philosophy of religion]]
* [[New Religious Movements]]
* [[Indigenous and Traditional Religions]]

[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Gnostic religions]]
[[Category:Iranian religions]]