Manichaeism: The Silk Road Religion

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Special thanks to Dr. Mattias Brand for co-writing this episode.
Bibliography
"MANICHEISM," Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition, 2014, available at www.iranicaonline.org/articles...
N. J. Baker-Brian, Manichaeism. An Ancient Faith Rediscovered (London: T&T Clark, 2011)
J. D. BeDuhn, The Manichaean Body in Discipline and Ritual (London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000),
I. Colditz, "The Abstract of a Religion Or: What Is Manichaeism?," in Mani in Dublin, ed. S. G. Richter, C. Horton, and K. Ohlhafer (Leiden: Brill, 2015), 47-70.
J. K. Coyle, "Foreign and Insane: Labelling Manichaeism in the Roman Empire," in Manichaeism and Its Legacy, ed. J. K. Coyle (Leiden: Brill, 2009), 3-24
I. Gardner, and S. N. C. Lieu, eds. Manichaean Texts from the Roman Empire (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004).
I. Gardner, The Founder of Manichaeism: Rethinking the Life of Mani. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020.
Z. Gulácsi, Mani's Pictures: The Didactic Images of the Manichaeans from Sasanian Mesopotamia to Uygur Central Asia and Tang-Ming China (Leiden: Brill, 2015).
A. F. de Jong, "A Quodam Persa Exstiterunt: Re-Orienting Manichaean Origins," in Empsychoi Logoi: Religious Innovations in Antiquity, ed. A. Houtman, A. F. de Jong, and M. Misset-van de Weg (Leiden: Brill, 2009): 81-106.
W. Sundermann, "Manichaean Literature in Iranian Languages," in The Literature of Pre-Islamic Iran, ed. R. E. Emmerick and M. Macuch (London: I.B.Tauris, 2008), 197-265.

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Gnosticism seminar: www.speakeasy.com/speaker/andrew-henry Patreon: patreon.com/religionforbreakfast

[@liquidluck711]

@ReligionForBreakfast Have you heard or read the Christ Letters?

[@vivektandon4509]

Could you please tell me the books to learn about theology and the different religious

[@Pingwn]

Can you please upload your seminars after they are done so others could view them?

[@hhhieronymusbotch]

Would love to see an episode on Manichaeism's influence on Augustine's theology and/or about his conflict with Pelagius!

[@OnlyBugmenWantedHandles]

You mention a discord server but I can't find any links. Is it possible to join, or is it a private server?

[@pan_jzm]

Man, that was the weirdest episode of VeggieTales I've heard of.

[@wheatgrowssweet]

The early seasons are pretty rough. They didn't really get the formula down until the middle ages.

[@johndurham6172]

Thought you were going to make a Veggie Tales joke.

[@milascave2]

Zach: So they couldn't eat vegetables or frit? They just ate meat? Sounds like an Atkins diet.

[@Cordoba82]

Genius joke!

[@garynaccarato4606]

Why does something tell me that the people who practiced this religion back then would have probably would have liked Veggie tales?

[@joyshokeir1593]

The one dislike on this video is from St. Augustine.

[@freelanceart1019]

The biggest Racist Augustine ever.

[@Perririri]

Or Confucius

[@FJ-rh6io]

Lol

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

You wouldn't believe how many Christians accuse Augustine of bringing manichean ideas to Christianity🙄

[@GodlessCommie]

I can see why this religion didn’t make it to modernity, but I can’t help but respect Mani’s commitment to syncretism. A common modern view is that “all religions hold a piece of the truth” and Mani must’ve thought that too. He seems ahead of his time in a way.

[@seananthony7494]

Its decline around the same time of the rise of Islam.

[@Zygomatic_Bolt]

But they can't all coexist as the truth since most religions contradict eachother

[@Beepbeep_its_treasure]

Don't the Ba'hai think the same ?

[@AUniqueHandleName444]

@@Zygomatic_Bolt Shhh, you're making wayyy too much sense, here.

[@Megaghost_]

I didn't know that's where the word comes from. In spanish "Maniqueísmo" is a pejorative term that describes a tendency to reduce reality to a duality of opposites like what is considered "good" or "bad" for example. Now it makes sense.

[@theMoporter]

Like black-and-white thinking?

[@Megaghost_]

@@theMoporter Yep

[@croissantfromage7289]

Same thing in french with manichéen

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Sounds like the situation in US politics where all problems are reduced to good/bad, left/right, which of course means they can never be solved as real life is never like that.

[@lukejones7164]

@overused palimpsest "Black and White" dualism is not a traditional part of ANY Abrahamic religion. And a Pagan religion is any ethnic religion regardless of their beliefs or practices, which doesn't apply to Maniaechism.

[@iumbo1234]

Any plans to do a video about Nestorianism and it's spread into Asia? It's a very unknown and interesting subject.

[@tateoien871]

THIS! The Church of the East is so fascinating and it's syncretic adaptation to so many cultural contexts is really cool

[@mr.caleblynn9246]

Please do!

[@ZiraRisasi]

This plz

[@hhhieronymusbotch]

YES YES YES YES YES YES

[@gibiscus]

I was in the Valley in LA and saw a sign that said "Assyrian Festival" and followed the directions to a Church of the East and they were very nice, had good food and souvenirs like a coloring book with Aramaic, but I didn't really talk about their theology at all...

[@Lord-Stanhope]

Been fascinated with Gnosticism for a long time. The problem I had was that almost all the available sources were either strongly for or strongly against. Thanks for having a "Just the facts maam" approach.

[@maiacorbin7879]

He's really good at this. It's refreshing not to have to hold my nose through a religious studies video, most accessible sources are confessional or very bad at hiding their bias.

[@Gustoberg]

I have a clear bias against christianity (because when you grow to be an atheist sometimes you begin to not like your old religion) but I am fascinated with religions, unfortunately teology universities are more of a "priestmaker" than a "theologianmaker" thing here, and yeah, most sources that are not biased are just youtube videos, actual papers on religion? Mostly preaches the religion they are studying, but the atheist theologians are mostly so unsufferable, like that's why people hate us! So yes, the best way to watch theology content without any bias is this channel

[@SoManyDucks]

I did my senior thesis on religious syncretism on the Silk road and Manicheanism featured a lot in the texts I read. It's a fascinating religion, and the religious syncretism that you described in passing is utterly fascinating when taken a further look at, and Manicheanism wasn't the only one that did it - "Nestorian" Christianity (for lack of a more recognizable term) made fairly heavy use of borrowing religious terms and symbols as well. One of the things I found was that when translating religious texts from one language to another (or more extreme, one culture to another), it makes a lot more sense to borrow the religious terminology of the language you are translating into, so that your text is intelligible. Otherwise you are left with having to transliterate, and confuse your audience. I know in one case, it lead to the phrase "... all the angels and archangels" being translated as "... all the buddhas and bodhisattvas" among many other very notable borrowings.

[@ssn139]

I wrote my senior (undergrad) thesis on a very similar topic! I focusing on the Manichaean "Hymnscroll" in particular, which was a Tang-dynasty work found at Turfan. I looked at how the use of some Buddhist religious concepts (at least in the Hymnscroll) weren't just straight borrowing or gloss, but actually effected the content of practices & beliefs within those communities. Watching this video reminded me how much I enjoyed this topic.

[@Sqk.]

Like how Buddhist texts in China used Daoist terms

[@arthas640]

or like how the Catholic church copied many features of roman religion, including vestial virgins/nuns. monks and priests did the same when they moved into the reat of europe like using the already famous 3 leaf clover symbol to explain the trinity to Irish pagans

[@heftymagic4814]

Nestorians cringe

[@Elyseon]

Catholics cringe.

[@viktorfalk1988]

Sounds like a pretty complex scheme to get free meals, not gonna lie.

[@zelenisok]

Buddhist Theravada monks are forbidden to work but must eat food given to them as gifts by laypeople.

[@imjessietr29]

@@zelenisok same issue

[@rorylynch1203]

Not gonna lie, your comment isn’t clever, funny or insightful

[@Blabla130]

@@rorylynch1203 This is the problem with the uncritical approach assumed by some religion scholars - it doesn't allow them to see when it's really just a brazen scam to prey on vulnerable and credulous people (pun intended).

[@mrwensveen]

@@rorylynch1203 It did get you to react, so that's something at least.

[@jackychick]

I just discovered Mani last week in a chinese history book (in Chinese) documenting its influence in Tang dynasty where the Buddhist sect heavily criticized Mani religion as fake Buddhism. What a serepidity to see a video on Mani popped up now!

[@trikebeatstrexnodiff]

Can you pls tell the name of the book 😩🤚🏻

[@jackychick]

@@trikebeatstrexnodiff Sorry. I should have said Chinese history book in Chinese....that s why the serendipity is extraordinary because the topic is very obscure. I can't actually remember the title of the book but I know where it is located in the local book store...

[@weonanegesiscipelibba2973]

> serepidity it's serendipity if you care to change :D

[@Henrex2000]

It also played a major role in the fall of Yuan dynasty and some believes it's the namesake of Ming dynasty

[@damc8415]

If you read that other book online, then the “serendipity” is called Google spyware (cookies, algorithms, search-history analysis, etc.) directing you to related content.

[@sriramhrishikesh9844]

Last time I was this early, Augustine was still Manichean.

[@CAPSLOCKPUNDIT]

I wasn't this early since Christ was a corporal.

[@someguynamedelan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/naHEgKxul52LbKM

[@csabapacsko2943]

In Hungary, we still have a plenty of Manichaeian imagery in some of our protestant temples. It's interesting how souch old beliefs could've survived until the reformation.

[@timothypikachu756]

Went to Cao An, the last remaining Manichaeism place of worship a few years back. Felt surreal

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

I’m so curious to visit.

[@someguynamedelan]

How was it surreal? Was it surreal in that it was kind of Buddhist but not?

[@marcomartinez1843]

Is it true that the temple is currently run by Buddhists?

[@allanpopa]

@@marcomartinez1843 One of the interesting features of many temples in China is that many are religiously pluralistic. I've been to a number of temples in Sichuan which are Daoist, Confucian and Mahayana. No one bats an eyelid at this situation and they accept it as a perfectly normal possibility. It wouldn't surprise me if Cao'an were treated much the same way.

[@shawnhall482]

@@ReligionForBreakfast why talk about this backwards and dangerous thinking religion. It’s doesn’t do anything for the world

[@hiltonklitzna9394]

Would you possibly do the Valentinians or Cathars? I'm interested in more elaboration on traditions surrounding Gnosis

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Currently working on a video about Valentinians.

[@yqafree]

Nice!

[@someguynamedelan]

@@ReligionForBreakfast I hope you at least put Catharism at the bottom of your list.

[@luxuryloaf9023]

Sethianism too, perhaps?

[@smellymala3103]

🙏🏻

[@milkallergy8829]

me: ayo what's your ideology? mani being mani: *yes*

[@Perririri]

Normie

[@qwellen7521]

I’d love to hear what Mani thinks of Vegie Tales...

[@imjessietr29]

And you can hook up electrodes to plants and hear lots of stuff

[@frankenduck9955]

I mean I'd assume with their love I've Paul, they'd love some Bob the Tomato.

[@rosiehawtrey]

I quite like drawn togethers take on veggie tales... Says it all really. Very nsfw.

[@LinuxUser00]

He was vegetarian, so would love it in a sense I imagine?

[@ikengaspirit3063]

In a different world, Manichaeism conquered the world

[@wergthy6392]

@@newjerseyyouth4853 it was quite widespread

[@pentelegomenon1175]

@@wergthy6392 and it could have changed, which often happens

[@archeaglemichael1667]

@@Zeerich-yx9po hahaha.... Christianity is still hated by the world... No one respects the original laws ...Real christianity is being suppressed and took over or dominated by false worship system of the catholic church.... And also... Other religions also hates Christianity for being monotheistic... Islam borrowed their stories (rewritten some of them) and pretends that it's the conclusion of the Bible but actually its not.... Islam is a totally different religion.... The law of mosses was for the survival of Jews, but the Islam is used it for conquering the world... They are still using it... That's not infact Christianity's fault, but the actions of a false doctrine proposed by a false prophet

[@user-nc6td8ox1t]

@@archeaglemichael1667 what kind of christian are you?

[@archeaglemichael1667]

@@user-nc6td8ox1t I was born in a catholic family.... But I am against catholic...

[@tsan_jey]

Talking foods is creepy. Imagine trying to eat veggies which suddenly talked cursing you for eating them instead of you cursing for being forced to eat veggies.

[@brokeneyes6615]

You ever hear of a show called Vegitales?

[@tsan_jey]

@@brokeneyes6615 I've heard about it but haven't watched yet

[@dddpvt]

do it every time!

[@Jose-xh5qb]

Yes, have you seen Sausage Party?

[@tsan_jey]

@@Jose-xh5qb just watched clips, i don't have money for subscriptions yet. 😅

[@truvak]

In Spanish we have the word Maniqueista, it is used as an acepción of manipulator, derived from the description of a politic that uses a divise discurse (two groups / black and white) to define that he is correct and right, and the ones inside the government are not.

[@didack1419]

A spanish speaker also, "manichaeism" or "manichaeist" is also used that way in English. And I don't know if you're claiming that is specifically that the populist claims that the government is wrong. Of course, the government can be as manichaeist as the opposition.

[@truvak]

@@didack1419 Not at all, of course anyone can manipulate, I was only mentioning the origin of the use.

[@didack1419]

@@truvak That's what I thought, just for clarifying.

[@skywindow6764]

@@didack1419 good political point, because this is exactly what the greek government does, using Civil War rhetoric against the left. Manis/Manichaeus is the root of this word that means thinking in two absolute opposites, ΜΑΝΙΧΑΪΣΜΟΣ

[@DAB_1903]

I disagree. The most common meaning of “maniqueo” in Spanish doesn’t implies manipulation, but a tendency towards an over simplistic black/white worldview or thought, ignoring nuances. Manipulation implies intention to deceive, which is not necessarily so, “maniqueismo” can be a product of sincerely held believes.

[@tobi1314]

One of my favourite novels of all time is The Gardens of Light, and it’s about Mani and his life. 100% recommended!

[@bencourtois1184]

What's the name of the book?

[@tobi1314]

@@bencourtois1184 The Gardens of Light by Amin Maalouf

[@bencourtois1184]

@@tobi1314 Thanks!

[@bencourtois1184]

Sorry I was feeling a sleepy when I read your comment 😅

[@hybridroundhead4978]

So far, the best and most succinct explanation of Manichaeism I have ever encountered in a brief format. You are truly becoming a great teacher.

[@ronaldofrias2176]

I never clicked so fast in my life after seeing the notification.

[@christianmartinez774]

Had no idea this religion existed. Pretty fascinating how far it spread through the silk road.

[@boogerie]

The actions of the Elect as liberating light seems to echo the Kabbalistic notions of "liberating the divine sparks" in tikkun ha-olam

[@gibiscus]

Yeah, at first I was like "sounds like UU's" then later "sounds like Kabbalah"...

[@maiacorbin7879]

I was thinking the same thing. Very modern sensibilities in some ways, I love silk road literature bc it's so cosmopolitan

[@sujeshchandran9143]

There are some theory about possible remnants of Manichaean temples in South India. The name Mani [ this is spelt maani , not same mani (pearl) ] is also common among some traditional Christians in Kerala. It is also interesting to see the cross in a supposedly Manichaean painting preserved in Seiunji temple in Japan which looks like a traditional cross depiction in Kerala. Early Arab travelers (? Abu Zaid in 916 AD ) mentions presence of Manichaeans in southern India. Iam really wondering whether these things are true.

[@abimukeshs8229]

That's a misunderstanding u have here... Mani has nothing to do with the Syrian Christians of Kerala... There's not a single evidence of Mani having their own symbol as a cross..

[@dennisaur66]

This is a fun episode. It doesn’t feel like homework but pure curiosity

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Once you realise that there are far more things curious about the world than in the few hours set aside for homework, then young Padawan, you are starting to understand.

[@TheADHDNerd]

I vastly respect your ability to describe these practices with straight face. "Yeah man, I totally can't do any of that work stuff or pick food or bake bread or anything like that because it's totally a sin. You got to do it for me and bring it here... I gotta stay pure, ya know"

[@thomasdobbs6676]

Could you do videos on Oriental Orthodoxy and the Church of the East, their theology, ethics, and history?

[@JB-mm5ff]

Very nice video. A few things of interest that caught my eye that may be entertaining for others: 1. That statue of the Buddha that shows up multiple times has two symbols for "middle" on them, one on the right sleeve and one on the left sleeve. 2. Xradesahr is a very interesting name. Directly translated it comes directly to something akin to "The Lord Christ", and we can see here a later period version of the ending for kingship as seen in names such as Nebuchadnezzar (which the ezzar/esahr ending may be sideways-acquaintable with the later "Caesar", "Czar", etc). Thanks for a great vid!

[@ANDROLOMA]

A Google search of the word "Xradesahr" indicates you don't know what you're talking about. Are you making this up as you go along? www.deepdyve.com/lp/brill/manichaeism-in-the-early-sasanian-empire-kNt1vXjaHr

[@SKH-kg1xw]

Hi, I am a Persian speaker, though I have little to no knowledge of Middle Persian. When I saw the name on the screen, I read it as Xerad-e-shahr. To my modern persian understanding,it litterally means "the Wisdom of the city/land". I don't know how correct this reading is but if so it is of great interest how Christ was called so in Persian, since to Zorostrians wisdom was a divine feature.

[@DavidFrat123]

This is why I love the Internet. I would never have heard about such an interesting religion otherwise!

[@shawnhall482]

It’s not that interesting

[@trira1171]

@@shawnhall482 Christianity borrowed Original Sin comcept from Manichaenism. It was done by St Augustine. Before this, Christianity believed in Karma & Freewill (& reincarnation).

[@shawnhall482]

@@trira1171 not karma

[@shawnhall482]

@@trira1171 karma is strictly a hindu concept and other religions connected with it

[@blindi6326]

I've been waiting for this!

[@MistarZtv]

I've watched so many of the old videos, its nice to finally keep up with new uploads. keep up the great work.

[@vrixphillips]

I was JUST reading about this! thanks for making a video about it :3

[@juancarlosporras2216]

This channel is amazing, I love how you put links for papers, documents and information. This is the type of influencers we need!!

[@GredelsRage]

I enjoyed this video and was quite suprised, as in my studies of religion Manikism is generally just lumped together (lazily at that) with Zorastrianism and mithraism as a fly by night mystery cult.

[@TechBearSeattle]

A "fly by night mystery cult" that was Christianity's main competitor for 500 years and possibly (if it does have ties to the Bogomils and Cathars, as some historians suggest) still influencing Christianity for another 500 years after that.

[@TD-np6ze]

@@TechBearSeattle Is this a WARNING? Was Augustine of Hippo OBJECTION to Manicheism it's Practices of Tolerance and Inclusion??? Were the Massacre & Annihilation Against "Religious NON-Conformists" ...a potential portent of Xtian Nat'l FASCIST Extremism being Used to TOPPLE Crumbling USA Govt?

[@alangervasis]

@@TD-np6ze You seem like a deeply troubled lunatic..Get rest.

[@TD-np6ze]

@@alangervasis Have u forgotten that *More DEATHS due to XTIAN Persecution than ALL Other Causes?* Are u blind to Xtian "Prophets???" Might as well be 1930s America First=Hitler Nothing to Worry

[@TD-np6ze]

@@necroticneurons9555 Cassandra Syndrome??? "They heard the Warning - but their Ears Were CLOSED & their Eyes Were BLIND!!!" Pleading Ignorance about the RISE of Xtian Nationalists Fascism Just like poor pre-war Germans!!!

[@moonrisegazer]

There arent many videos done on this and youre literally my fav youtuber, and it was very informative. So thank you!

[@fredk9999]

Thank you to our host. Lots of research. Good presentation

[@khanofkhans6546]

Sounds like Mani ate some talking mushrooms.

[@pocketpicker6613]

Eatin dem tainted grainz, dawg

[@mccormyke]

Perhaps he didn't & should have.

[@epimorphism]

wooo been waiting for this one

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

First-rate. This will stimulate me to reading more on the mystery of Mani as it will others. Looking forward to your film on Valentinians.

[@sylvester5022]

Watching this to gain better context on Augustine, very informative!

[@monus782]

Been fascinated with this religion for a long time, except there wasn't much I knew about it so thank you for this video. I'm reading a book about Genghis Khan's religious policies and it has a chapter more or less dedicated to this religion because of the Uyghurs, all of it quite interesting.

[@jaym9382]

This was quite fascinating! Thank you for making this video! I had come across the name of this religious tradition before, but I knew almost nothing about it. It's intriguing how flexible a religious tradition it was and how it came to share elements and features with Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism. It's also interesting to consider how and why certain religious traditions disappeared (like Manichaeism) and others survived. I wonder how and why Manichaeism ultimately declined and disappeared. I'd have imagined that a religious tradition with such an extensive range from Egypt to Iran to China would have survived in some form to the present day. So many other religious traditions existed in pre-modern times, but are almost entirely gone today.

[@jaredplaysaccordion7965]

Awesome script for this. Your is probably my favorite "learning" channel

[@markheitz7963]

I've seen a few of ur vids now & must say well done, I find all of these really interesting & informative leaving me in some cases to read up further. I have now subscribed + hit that bell. Keep up the good work cheers Buddy, Mark

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Very interesting, informative and worthwhile video.

[@poorang900]

That name of jesus, xradsar or khrad shahr means the government of wisdome. Shahr was used as government of Iranians. Nowadays we still call the citys as shahr. Also Mani is famous in Iran because of his beautiful paintings which was called miraculous.

[@mylesricker3095]

Wow this is such an awesome presentation. Love this channel

[@HighKingWolfetone]

As a manichaean myself this video was amazing and so well informed. May Alaha bless you.

[@stopsomewhere9104]

Yesss I’ve wanted this one!

[@robbabcock_]

Fascinating! This isn't a religion I've heard much about. Thanks!

[@musicalintentions]

fascinating! Thank you for sharing your research with all of us. 📚

[@JM-qi5dm]

Fascinating! Great video!

[@steveserra6757]

thank you for shedding light on this brief period of humans

[@venomkiler1]

I would like to see more about sethian gnosticism, I find it interesting. Thanks for this video, I have been really interested in these lost religions

[@shakudoken5667]

ReligionForBreakfast is producing some incredibly high-quality videos! I am surprised it hasn't hit 1 million subscribers yet.

[@martinguerre8220]

Thanks for this. Very informative

[@lukamilenkovic9578]

I would love to see you make a video exploring deism.

[@rmglabog]

The food offering and prohibitions on harvesting fruits/vegetables is a Theravadan Buddhist monastic practice. We still practice it here in Asia, the daily food offering to monks.

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you for such an informative video.

[@statusdisarray9598]

WOW i never knew this was so interesting ...You are the best! Thank you!

[@miketacos9034]

Okay can we all agree that Zurvan is an awesome name?

[@benjaminromm8184]

Transcendent God, Emanations, Implanted Divine Sparks? Is there a connection between Manichaean theology and either later Kabbalah or some proto-Kabbalah?

[@benjaminromm8184]

@Mullerornis thank you. Common root in gnosticism was what I thought I had learned. Cool!

[@cvervoort]

@Mullerornis Almost all religions have something similar. How literal or metaphorical the struggle is depends on each tradition, as do specific laws and aesthetics... But the material world is often considered to be illusory in some way. And almost all stress detachment from wealth, ego, worldly passions, and immoral behaviors. To reach the immaterial realm within and without the human body.

[@ZonsoAvalune]

Basically all Gnosticism is just Kabbalah with extra steps, which is itself just satanism with extra steps.

[@cvervoort]

@@ZonsoAvalune except modern Satanism comes from 18th-20th century gentlemen's social clubs and older forms of "Satanism" and "Pagan" religions were just Christian labels for any traditional animist/indigenous religion... And aren't related to so-called mystical Abrahamic or Zoroastrian traditions.

[@jamesstevenson7725]

No, their is no connection

[@GoodOne4All]

Beautiful video as usual 😊

[@MaddieS659]

We're learning about Augustine and Manicheanism in philosophy so I'm glad this video came up in my recommended

[@Fetishcast]

its a good day when you upload

[@gabriels.carvalho4852]

Makes as much sense as any other religion.

[@ikengaspirit3063]

More like the ultimate Heresy

[@gabriels.carvalho4852]

@@ikengaspirit3063 In fact, all "heresies" make as much sense as any other "orthodoxies". The only thing that distinguishes Heresy and Orthodoxy is which group enforced their views and persecuted other views more successfully.

[@gabriels.carvalho4852]

@Josh Smith I know, right?

[@ohamatchhams]

@@gabriels.carvalho4852 Nah, not really It does adds up to see how revelations which Manichaeism have to not just enrich the cultures of Ancient cultures to Medieval eras and even right to this day, but also to explore further the Spiritual achievements and attainments of it's adherents and traditions

[@gabriels.carvalho4852]

@@ohamatchhams Are we talking about purposes or traditions?

[@theindian2226]

An insightful discourse Thanks🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ernestschroeder9762]

Love your work.

[@eponymous_graphics]

@9:00 regarding not harvesting food or processing animals for food, but then "given" (?) that very same harvest and butchered meat made from other hands ... sounds similar to everyone today who wants to eat a hamburger, but doesn't want to know nor see where it originates from ! what a jip. Remember what Pinhead said in Hellraiser II, regarding a girl gifted in solving puzzles who solves the square mechanism that opens the door to another dimension: "It's not who opened the door that is responsible, it's the person who desired it to be opened that we will ... TEAR THEIR SOULS APART !" yeah, you kinda gotta be there. Great video. I really like this breakfast videos. Thanks for sharing. [edit typos]

[@DanielApologetics]

Interesting video

[@hussain6469]

Very interesting video, thanks for making

[@johndavidnew]

Love the channel. Keep up the good work.

[@jambudvipi]

*In a nutshell:* •Manichaeism is a *Moksh-aligned religion* which gives precedence to Prophet Mani over other gurus •Just as Buddhism is a Moksh-aligned religion which gives precedence to Buddhas over other gurus •Just as Sikhism a Moksh-aligned religion which gives precedence to Satgurus over other gurus •Just as Jainism is a Moksh-aligned religion which gives precedence to Tirthankars over other gurus •Etc

[@HierophanticRose]

In particular, later instances Manicheism spread in the Uyghur/Yughur and Xia/Tangut areas was more aligned in Cosmology with Buddhism than Christianity - to point to the "Varieties of Manicheism" as you mentioned

[@karezaalonso7110]

You have helped many people pronounce Iran correctly. (EA-RUN). Thank you so much.

[@humanity600]

Yes! One of my favourite religions to read on.🤩🔥🔥🔥

[@erikkr.r.m7380]

Can you do a video on norse religion ?

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Video on Loki scheduled for next week!

[@itarry4]

@@ReligionForBreakfast nice you're by far the best religion research channel I've ever come across. So refreshing to get the story and facts without anything extra to cloud the stories. You give the history, the writings and let the watcher judge. Almost unheard of as most others have an agenda one way or another.

[@SI-ln6tc]

@@ReligionForBreakfast Mind as well do one on the Celts too. Some say the Celts were a modern creation (they were never a single religion but were many different tribal religions like those of Africa, North American Natives etc). That might be the case with Vikings.

[@shawnhall482]

@@ReligionForBreakfast you should cover Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) after next week’s video. Your Hindu subscribers are waiting for a Hinduism video

[@byblispersephone2.094]

This trend of combining prophets and religious beings and being a sole universal prophet for all seems to be a common occurence in the Near East, e.g with Mani, Mohammed and all the other less successful 'prophets' that arose there.

[@ohamatchhams]

There's so many ignorant comments here, and you take the cake for being the outmost ignorant here, in fact that Islam is winning and keep growing the most compared to any other religion is uncontrollable to any powers and authorities of The World

[@andyisacsson7503]

As always, excellent

[@Mechristopheles]

Another excellent video.

[@mediocreman3363]

I was learning about Manichaeism a few days ago. How can you read my mind?

[@bleflar9183]

He can't, but the algorhitm can.

[@rumpvirus7393]

A carrot in the ear. There were only a few people who could download the carrot to a rabbit and get any useful information. Just like today you need to find a guy wearing pyjamas during the day and hanging out in the airport. I'm not sure why it has nothing to do with the rabbit but you kind of seemed lonely and they are very chatty.

[@maxion5109]

Wonder if Tolkien was inspired by Manichean belief when he wrote The Tale of the Sun and the Moon, which were literal storage vessels of light created by the Valar. As an academic he must have been familiar with a lot of religions and mystical traditions.

[@enniopaone]

Probably, but I couldn't find anything on it. Could also just be influenced by Christianity like many of his works.

[@maxion5109]

@@enniopaone Biblical influences are indeed present in Tolkiens mythology but he tapped stories and tales from all over the place.

[@halikarnak1862]

I see parallels between eru illuvitar and melkor pairing and the pairing of ahuramazda and angra mainyu as the embodiments of good and evil

[@markjohnson543]

Religion for Breakfast is full of interesting and well informed content.

[@XRADESHAHR777]

Super nice video!

[@benthomason3307]

Funny how humans have been practicing agriculture for tens of thousands of years, but none of our harvests ever spoke to their farmer until Mani came around.

[@dddpvt]

No wonder Augustine has a brewery named after him, Great line

[@itarry4]

That'll come from the fact Monks and Abbey were basically brewery's but yhea..

[@kevtherev8194]

Thanks from TAIWAN

[@carlosrios3215]

So many self proclaimed apostles even in the ancient past. Great vid.

[@whyishoudini]

Anyone else super atheist but love this channel?

[@flyingfoamtv2169]

me to

[@madhavdeval]

I'd love to see a video about the development of greco Roman paganism in the second and third century, and its own internal developments- accounts of the period are always about how the relatively small Christian church formed and spread, but I barely ever see anything about whether there were new religious movements within paganism. Was temple attendance or public piety actually declining significantly before christianisation killed it? Was the isis movement in decline by the 3rd century?

[@frederickzorn3542]

Robert Sapolsky’s lecture on religious belief should be your next watch.

[@manny75586]

One of my favorite accounts of Manichaeism is in "Confessions" by St. Augustine. Largely because he was one of them before turning fully to Christianity. The book is an excellent read on all levels.

[@dorianxanyn]

Why do I have a feeling this religion is going to make a big come back? It has everything; Zoroastrian, judeo-christian, Buddhist influence, and a lord of the rings styled battle between light and dark

[@yullanvalor3380]

Battle between Light and Dark? Not if combined with Daoism. With the Dao would come understanding of how and why opposites work. Nothing evil there - just nature. BUT, While explaining why there is pain and suffering in this world,, Buddhism would work out the method of how one arrives at spiritual enlightenment (right method, motivation, meditation, speech, conduct, livelihood, mind), then Christianity lays out principles that guide the seeker to a holistic relationship with God and other people via patience, forgiveness, mercy, meekness, compassion, justness, forbearance, etc. Buddhism constitutes the body, Daoism - the mind and Christianity - the soul.

[@dorianxanyn]

Calm yourself @@yullanvalor3380 I was making a joke, we all know every religion will inevitably break down into a worship of the almighty dollar

[@ANDROLOMA]

But no hobbits. Except bad hobbits, like smoking or drinking.

[@sumerbabylon7069]

It's gonna come back because this is the true religion it's the original Sumerian-ancient version it's not stolen from anyone it's the opposite Budha also fed on sumer holy books btw so no it's all stolen from Sumer. Like Babylon-Sumer gave you all civlization you think I need to learn occult from semitics, hindus, chinese, iranians etc like wtf it's all proven by now like story of Job was on clay tablet etc it's chaldean was never semitic story Abrham learned about it in Sumerian city... Of course most of this video is total wrong again no mixing this is the original....Mani wrote it all down he is the only prophet who wrote down everything but all of Mani's books still hidden...

[@winio437]

​@@sumerbabylon7069Could you give more knowledge to a beginner, what I need to know, why I need to know it, where to get this knowledge?

[@ANDROLOMA]

In Voltaire's novel Candide, the philosopher Martin is called the world's last Manichaeist. Manichaeism can be considered a religion as extinct as Tyrannosaur worship.

[@frankbaz6449]

That's where I first heard of it, actually. That's probably my favorite book of all time.

[@ANDROLOMA]

@@frankbaz6449 To read Voltaire is to love Voltaire. One of my very favorite writers.

[@hparandvash]

Thank you. Hope you do a video on Mazdak, the other Persian prophet, in the future.

[@graphosxp]

this was all completely new to me!

[@loveandmercy9664]

It would be interesting if he did a series on the religious movements in the late 19th century like the second great awakening, the millerites, the German templar community in Palestine as well as the religions that came out of it east and west like Seventh day Adventist, Jehovahs, Ahadiyya Muslims, Baha'is etc....

[@grahamrankin4725]

I suggest a companion video showing how Christianity incorporated local beliefs into its doctrine. Like Jesus birth being celebrated near winter solstice from Saturnalia or Day of the Dead (All souls day) from Aztecs.

[@garrett6076]

he did a great video on why Christmas is on Dec 25 and he talks about the connection with Saturnalia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXWrk4KmiJKBZsU

[@kylejacobson9587]

Watch his video on Christmas. You probably won't like what you hear

[@danieldiebolt9483]

Love your channel! Please, consider doing a vid on Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite