Jesus in Manichaeism
In Manichaeism, Jesus (Romanization of Parthian and Pahlavi: Yyšw '[Yišō]) is considered one of the four prophets of the faith, along with Zoroaster, Gautama Buddha and Mani. He is also a "guiding deity" who greets the light bodies of the righteous after their deliverance.
| Jesus (夷數) | |
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Portrait of the King Jesus, 10th century. Found in Xinjiang Gaochang, it is the oldest known Manichean Jesus portrait. | |
| Other names |
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| Predecessor | Śākyamuni Buddha (釋迦文佛) |
| Successor | Mani the Buddha of Light (摩尼光佛) |
| Abodes | World of Light (明界), Moon Palace (月宮) |
| Symbol | cross of light, moon |
| Ethnic group | Hebrew |
| Parents | Father of Greatness |
| Equivalents | |
| Christian equivalent | Jesus |
| Islamic equivalent | ʿĪsā ibn Maryam |
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Before the introduction of Manichaeism to Central Asia, the number of prophets recognized by it was undetermined. After being introduced to Central Asia, it was determined to be five, that is, the above-mentioned four prophets plus the Hindu god Narayana, because Hinduism had significant influence in ancient Central Asia.
Mani, the founder of the church, grew up in a Christian family in the 3rd century AD. His father Pātik was a believer in the church. They lived in southern Mesopotamia under the rule of the Sasanian Dynasty. Although Mani mentions Zoroastrianism and Sakyamuni in his own writings, Jesus is the key point. For example: "Jesus is Mani's savior"; "Mani, the apostle of Jesus Christ" (Mani's crystal seal and his own name in the letter); "Mani is the Holy Spirit of Jesus" (Mani's disciples' honorific title to him). Catholic Church Father Augustine once wrote about the Manichaeans' obsession with Jesus and there are many hymns in the Manichaean scriptures in various languages.