Manichaean schisms

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Manichaean schisms
Date6th century AD – 10th century AD
Also known asEast–West Schism of Manichaean Church
TypeReligious schism
CauseRegional difference

Although Manichaeism was a fairly unified religious phenomenon, it had some schisms over its history.[1] This article will cover a series of schisms going from the sixth century AD until at least the tenth century AD.

In the 6th century AD, there was a schism among Manichaeism between the Denawars and the see of Babylon, in response to persecution in Mesopotamia.[1] The see of Babylon was the predominant sect of Babylon and the Middle East, while the Denawars were prevalent in Sogdiana and founded by Shad Ohrmazd,[2][3] however they viewed Mar Ammo as their founder as he established Manichaeism in the region.

Although Manichaeism was a fairly unified religious phenomenon, three hundred years after the death of Mar Ammo, there was a schism between the Manichaeans in Babylonia and Sogdiana.[1] The rift between the eastern and western Manichaeans was not caused by any doctrinal matters,[2] the seat of the Archegos remained in the Twin Cities, but the influence on Manichaeism mostly came from Transoxiana.[4]

After the Arab victory at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, the Manichaeans had a brief respite from persecution. As a result some returned to Mesopotamia from Khorasan.[4]

The capital of the Denawars sect by the 8th century was centered in Kocho, on the northern Silk Road. At the time it was at least active from Samarkand to Chang'an. The schism between the eastern and western churches was worked out and ended by the beginning of the eighth century.[5]

At the end of the seventh century, Mihr was archegos and the schism was reconciled. Mihr had relaxed many rules of Manichaeism regarding social relationship (Arabic wisallat).[6]

Mihr was succeeded by Zad Hurmuz, who in turn was succeeded by Miqlas.[6]

Miqlas attempted to restrict these rules once again, and this resulted in the development of a new schism between the Miqlasijja who wanted the rules to be strict, and the Mihrijja who wanted them to be loose.[6][7]

The rise of the Abbasid Caliphate brought increased persecution in 750.[6] Due to this persecution the center of Manichaeism permanently shifted to Khorasan.[6] Letters from Khorasan show the Miqlasijja-Mihrijja schism was still strong in 880.[6]

Manichaeism, following its introduction into Sogdiana, would be spread in part by Sogdians eastward into the Tarim Basin and China.[8] Manichaeism would last at least for another six hundred years, fading away after the fourteenth century.[9]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c Foundation, Encyclopaedia Iranica. "Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica". iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  2. ^ a b H. J. Klimkeit. Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity in: History of Civilizations of Central Asia, Vol. IV, Part 2. Motilal Banarsidass, 2003. ISBN 8120815963.
  3. ^ Lieu, Samuel N.C. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire and Medieval China: a Historical Survey. Pages 83, 85. Manchester University Press, 1985. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2863189M/Manichaeism_in_the_later_Roman_Empire_and_medieval_China
  4. ^ a b Lieu, Samuel N.C. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire and Medieval China: a Historical Survey. Pages 83, 85. Manchester University Press, 1985. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2863189M/Manichaeism_in_the_later_Roman_Empire_and_medieval_China
  5. ^ Whitfield 1999, p. 20.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Lieu, Samuel N.C. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire and Medieval China: a Historical Survey. Pages 83, 85. Manchester University Press, 1985. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2863189M/Manichaeism_in_the_later_Roman_Empire_and_medieval_China
  7. ^ Ma, Xiaohe (2013). 光明的使者——摩尼与摩尼教 [The Messenger of Light: Mani and Manichaeism] (in Simplified Chinese). Lanzhou: Lanzhou University Press. p. 304. ISBN 978-7-311-04056-7.
  8. ^ Wood 2002, p. 66.
  9. ^ BeDuhn 2000, p. ix.
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