Group Topic- Manichaeism = Religious Syncretism

The Calogne Mani Codex (CMC) provides information on Manis life and his seperation from the Jewish-Christian baptist sect in Babylonia. Aitke writes in the chapter The Cologne Mani Codex:

“…CMC is best identified as an anthology, collecting “memoirs” of Manis words and deeds…its material consists of several genres; sayings, miracle stories, aretalogies, epiphany stories,revelation, dialogue, apocalypses, travelogues, controversy stories, homily, and epistle. CMC may be also regarded as a religious propaganda, written to persuade its audience toward Manichaeism, at the same time it is also an initiation text, providing instruction about practices and theology of Manichaeism for new adherents” (pg 162).

If the CMC can be seen as a “religious propaganda” in order to persuade people towards the Manichaeism faith, then other religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) could be seen guilty of doing the same thing. I personally don’t find it a book of persuasion, but it is a book of guidance with stories of Mani’s life which in fact cause different feelings and outcomes from different readers.

I find Manichaeism as a form of syncretism since Mani sought out to find a universal religion that would integrate teachings and truths and religious traditions from different religions such as Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity. As Manichaism spread through different cultures, it was translated into different translations as well. For example, when it moved eastward, it was translated into Iranian languages, and the Manichaean deities were often transformed into the names of Zoroastrian holy figures. The recognition of this fact would probably prompt scholars of religion as to why Mani choose specific components/teachings of these religions and not accept them fully. Syncretism as a organizing principle helps us because it’s in a way bringing religions/traditions together instead of separating them. It is the act of reconciling different systems of belief and incorporating them into one in order to benefit individuals, rather than push them further away from each other. It only goes on to help one realize that religions may not as different as one thinks they are. At the same time, syncretism could also cause disturbance amongst some. Taking Manichaeism as an example, Mani included only the teachings he preferred from specific religions. He also questioned the way other religions viewed holy practices, which may ending up upsetting many. For example, in The Cologne Mani Codex, Mani disputes with the Baptists in regards to the issue of baptizing. He states:

 “And the fact that you baptize each day in waters is nothing. For if you have been baptized and purified once, why are you baptized again each day? Therefore it is also clear in this that you loathe yourselves each day and that because of foulness you are baptized before being purified. And in this it is very clear that all the pollution is from the body. And behold, even [you] have clothed yourselves in it.” (pg 166).

Mani also gives the example of Elkhasai to show that it is not necessary to baptize, since Elkhasai went into the waters to baptize, and ended up  not washing in the waters since the image of a man marveled him and stated: “Is it not sufficient that your animals [strike] me? But even you [yourself] maltreat [my place] and profance [my waters].” (pg 168).

On a side note, do you think the essence and teachings of a document is destroyed when translated into a different language?

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