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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- Community meeting house
- Missionary and monastic settings in some regions
- Private and communal prayer spaces
Sacred texts
[edit | edit source]- Living Gospel
- Treasury of Life
- Kephalaia
- Manichaean hymns and fragments preserved in several languages
Holidays and observances
[edit | edit source]- Bema festival
- Commemorations of Mani and community rites
Branches and related traditions
[edit | edit source]- 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.