Manichaeism
| 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.