 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Intro - to Manichaeanism Beliefs - Teachings & Practices Texts - Literary Remains Timeline - Chronology Offshoots - Branches & Hybrids Enemies - Anti-Mani writings Ruins - Temple Remains Revival - Restoration Diet - Veganism Light Cross - Ecology Mythos - Worldview Naz site
- Site dedicated to Nazoreans
Order of Nazorean Essenes
|
An important component to Mani's theology was his doctrine of the Apostles of Light who periodically came to earth to teach the Manichaean Way. Furthermore, let him who is willing hearken and pay attention to how each one of the primeval patriarchs communicated his own revelation to a select (group) whom he chose and gathered together from that generation during which he appeared, and after writing (it down), he left it for future generations. Each (patriarch) revealed (information) about his heavenly journey, and they (i.e., the chosen group) promulgated beyond ... to record and display afterwards, and to laud and extol their teachers and the truth and the hope that was revealed to them. Thus each one spoke and wrote down a memoir recounting what he saw, including (an account) about his heavenly journey, during the period and cycle of his apostleship. - Baraies the Teacher, Cologne Mani CodexThis passage by the Manichaean Baraies explains why the Cologne Mani Codex quotes from pseudepigraphic writings of the "pre-flood patriarchs". These include Apocalypse of Adam, Apocalypse of Sethel, Apocalypse of Enosh, Apocalypse of Shem, and an Apocalypse of Enoch. "Each patriarch had made a heavenly ascent during which they toured the divine realm and were made privy to esoteric knowledge. After returning to earth, they revealed their experiences and issued exhortations based upon the same to a small group of their peers, presumably selected on account of their moral fitness. In addition to promulgating their teachings orally among their disciples, each forefather also prepared a written first-person account of their experiences for future readers. The disciples apparently bore some responsibility for the faithful preservation and transmission of the inscribed testimonies to the later generations. There are therefore several key credentials for candidacy as a representative of the heavenly Light-Nous. At their bare minimum they include an ascent-experience, the formation and supervision of a select community of adherents who cherish the teachings of the adept, and the preparation of a written "memoir" that faithfully records the circumstances of the ascent and some indication of the contents of the revelation. From Mani's perspective, traditional figures who met these conditions merited consideration for apostolic status." - Hearalds of That Good Realm by John Reeves |
Order of Nazorean Essenes 2008
- All Rights Reserved
.
