See Also: Mandaeanism(encyclopedia)

Mandaeanism (sh)




Ancient Middle Eastern Gnostic sect surviving in Iraq and southwestern Iran.

Like other dualistic systems, it stresses salvation of the soul through esoteric knowledge, or gnosis, of its divine origin. (Its name derives from mandayya, "having knowledge.") In its cosmology, evil Archons obstruct the soul's ascent through the heavenly spheres to reunion with the supreme deity. Unlike many Gnostic systems, Mandaeanism supports marriage and forbids sexual license. It is also characterized by elaborate cultic rituals, particularly for baptism. Mandaeans view Jesus as a false messiah but revere John the Baptist, whose life is chronicled in their sacred writings. See also dualism, Gnosticism.