Manichaeism: Unity and Divergences

Abstract

The article deals with the main components of the Manichaean religion. One of the main questions in the study of Manichaeism is: which component in this teaching is primary, Gnostic-Christian or Zoroastrian. The research of terms, in particular, of the proper names in Coptic, Greek, Latin, Syrian and Middle Iranian languages, allows us to assert that a particular form of the Gnostic Christian teaching was a basis, and Zoroastrian and Buddhist elements were introduced into the doctrine for a very specific purpose. In particular, the identification of Manichaean emanations with Zoroastrian deities turns out to be secondary. According to the Manichaean teaching, which goes back to interpretations of the Bible, there was an original one true church, which periodically degraded, and for restoring it the deity sent every time a true teacher of faith into the world. All existing world religions (Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity, the Gnostic-Christian doctrine of Elkesai) are distorted forms of this true faith. In the process of spreading, Manichaeism could not help but undergo some regional changes, which appeared already at an early stage. In the process of expansion, Manichaeism inevitably underwent some regional changes, which manifest themselves at an early stage. The Appendix contains translations of two Coptic psalms, which clearly illustrate the exposition of the doctrine and the adaptation of early Christian literature to it.