- Mani (216-274 CE), which measns ‘Eternity’ in Persian, was a Persian Prophet, born in Ctesiphon, Parthia.
- Mani styled himself as a Prophet who claimed to be a Reincarnation of the Leading figures in other Religions.
Manichaeism
- It was a Duallist Gnostic Religion based on the individual choice between Good and Evil.
- Mani combined elements from three Religions, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism to create a new Religion.
The Spread of Manichaeism
- Mani organised his Followers into a Church. Manichaeism quickly spread into the Roman Empire and into China.
- It was influential from the third to seventh centuries CE.
- Manichaeism became briefly popular in the Roman Empire before Christianity became the State Religion.
- Mani considered there were four great Empires in his lifetime, the Roman Empire, Persian Empire, Chinese Empire and the Axumite Empire.
- After travelling to India, Mani returned to Persia and was accepted into the Court of Hormizd I. However, when Hormzid I was succeeded by Bahram I, a Zoroastrian, Mani was imprisoned and died a month later.
Works
- Shabuhragan (Book of Shapur) written in Persian.
- This describes Manichaeism in six volumes written in Syriac and one written in Persian which was dedicated to Shapur I (215-272 CE), the Ruler of Persia.
- The Gospel of Mani
- The Treasure of Life
- The Treatise
- Secrets
- The Book of Giants
- Epistles
- Psalms and Prayers
- Arhzang (Message of Truth)
- This is the holy book of Manichaeism with drawings and paintings.