A Zidqa Brikha, prayers and baptisms are also performed. Ganzer, a title which appears first in a religious context in the Aramaic ritual texts from Persepolis (c. 3rd century BCE), and which may be related to the kamnaskires (Elamite kapnuskir "treasurer"), title of the rulers of Elymais (modern Khuzestan) during the Hellenistic age. THE MANDAEAN RELIGION. The writing of the holy documents can only be done on paper, papyrus, metal (lead sheets) and stone (or clay) - they can never be written on parchment or animal skin, for it is a sin to slaughter and also because animal skin is unclean. [104]:552553 An early Mandaean self-appellation is bhiri zidqa meaning 'elect of righteousness' or 'the chosen righteous', a term found in the Book of Enoch and Genesis Apocryphon II, 4. Drasha d Yahya (The Book of John, Chapters 1-4, 8-10). The Mandaeans have a large corpus of religious scriptures, the most important of which is the Ginza Rabba or Ginza, a collection of history, theology, and prayers. When a boy has memorized enough of the rituals and prayers, acted in the proper manner of the Shganda under the guidance and instruction of the priest or Ganzivra, he becomes ready to receive initiation into the first degree of priesthood, becoming a Tarmida. They are not recognized under the laws of the Islamic Republic, cannot register for services under their Mandaean names, and cannot work or attend university if they openly state they are Mandaean. In a comparative analysis, the Swedish Egyptologist Torgny Sve-Sderbergh indicated that Mani's Psalms of Thomas was closely related to Mandaean texts. [110][111] Other items like the rasta (robes) and kitchen utensils such as pots and pans undergo frequent ritual purifications. If any of his female ancestors within three generations were married when widows or non-virgins, then the would-be priest cannot be consecrated. The inhabitants of this world who are the descendants of Adam Kasia and Hawa Kasia (the hidden Adam and Eve) are said to marry and have children but without pollution in the process. Mandaeans believe in marriage and procreation, and in the importance of leading an ethical and moral lifestyle in this world, placing a high priority upon family life. 885940). The ceremony is believed to help the souls of the departed on their journey through purgatory to the World of Light. 19, No 2. Immortality The third important rite of the The Mandaeans' central ritual is baptism: immersion in flowing water, which is referred to in Mandaic as "living water," a phrase that appears in the Bible's New Testament as well. [27] Many Mandaean Iraqis have since fled their country because of the turmoil created by the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent occupation by U.S. armed forces, and the related rise in sectarian violence by extremists. Major sins such as theft, murder, and adultery require more than one baptism. [129], Mandaeism does not allow conversion, and the religious status of Mandaeans who marry outside the faith and their children is disputed. The greater the number of ablutions performed or received the better, for without baptism no Mandaean (or his Soul) may pass onto the next world. [103] One of the names for the Mandaean God Hayyi Rabbi, Mara d-Rabuta (Lord of Greatness) is found in the Genesis Apocryphon II, 4. Unconditional giving, motivated by a pure inner impulse and dedicated to a higher purpose. [18], According to Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley and other scholars who specialize in Mandaeism, Mandaeans originated about two thousand years ago in the Palestine region and subsequently moved east due to persecution. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mandaeanism, Encyclopdia Iranica - The Mandaean Religion. The symbol of the Great Life is flowing 'living' water or yardna. They believe that the soul is a captive or an exile . BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD: As death approaches the dying person is bathed, water is brought in from the river, the dying person is undressed and then washed with a threefold sprinkling from head to feet. A phrase in the Manual of Disciplinereads: that they may behold the Light of Life . A Mandaean's grave must be in the north-south direction so that if the dead Mandaean were stood upright, they would face north. The Maghriya believed that God is too sublime to mingle with matter, thus they did not believe that God directly created the world, but that an angel, which represents God created the earth which is similar to the Mandaean demiurgic Ptahil. Here, experts share 10 of the less apparent (but just as important) marriage rules to live by. The global mandaean group for marriage ( , ). He then returns to his own home where he must live a cut-off existence for 45 days (the period assigned for the passage of the soul through the purgatories). Sec. The name 'Mandaean' comes from the Aramaic manda, meaning knowledge. The role of Yushamin, the first emanation, is more obscure; wanting to create a world of his own, he was punished for opposing the King of Light ('The First Life'), but was ultimately forgiven. The drabsha is not identified with the Christian cross. There are certain rules for a happy relationship. [77][78] In addition, scholars such as Richard August Reitzenstein, Rudolf Bultmann, G. R. S. Mead, Samuel Zinner, Richard Thomas, J. C. Reeves, G. Quispel and K. Beyer also argue for a Judea/Palestine or Jordan Valley origin for the Mandaeans. Oxford: Clarendon Press 1963. According to this text, a group of Nasoraeans (Mandean priests) left Judea before the destruction of Jerusalem in the first century CE, and settled within the Parthian Empire.[19]. 1. Islamic tradition accords the Mandaeans the same special status as Jews and Christians as "people of the book", in other words the common Biblical foundations shared by Muslims. No synthetic fiber's allowed i.e., nylon, rayon polyester etc.The Rule of the Garden of Peace mandates that all residents where natural white clothing, just like the Mandaeans, ancient Essenes and ancient Pythagoreans.STAFF & TALISMANS: When officiating a priest must always carry a staff of olivewood (willow in the case of necessity), known as margna, which is associated with water, and is often spoken of as the 'staff of living water'. In the Clementine Homilies (ii. At the priests death, his margna, Shom Yawar and skandola are buried with him. The marriage rite is also very important. The ink is hand made and is a priestly recipe, there is no one method or recipe, although it is always black and shinny. Followers believe angels taught river-style baptism practices to Adam, the first man. If the Mandaean dies unclean, a special ceremony called the "bestowal of the garments" can be performed by a living person standing as proxy for the dead person which prepares the soul for ascent. This should be performed daily, and with covered head, just before sunrise after the evacuation of the bowels and before all religious ceremonies. At the same time the ignorant or semi-ignorant laity are called 'Mandaeans', Mandaiia'gnostics.' In addition to the Ginza, Qolusta, and Draa d-Yahya, there is the Diwan Abatur, which contains a description of the 'regions' the soul ascends through, and the Book of the Zodiac (Asfar Malwsh). Mahmood Khamisi and Erhima . The most important rituals of Mandaeism are the regular baptism (masbuta) - a cleansing ritual which must be performed in flowing water ('living water', or yardna, seen as symbolic of divine emanation) every Sunday, and a spiritual ascent ceremony (masiqta) - held to speed the return of Mandaean souls back up to the realm of light. [45]:188 Therefore, the material world is a mixture of 'light' and 'dark'. [33] This etymology suggests that the Mandaeans may well be the only sect surviving from Late Antiquity to identify themselves explicitly as Gnostics. 9501000) citing the Abbasid vizier Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Muqla (c.885940),[37] though it is not clear whether the Mandaeans of this period already identified themselves as Sabians or whether the claim originated with Ibn Muqla. The references to Christ (Yshu Mshiha) are, in fact, entirely polemical, and for the most part refer to the . The Lesser "First World". The word Sabian derives from the verb Sabaa or Sibagha. Justin Martyr identifies Menander of Antioch as Simon Magus' pupil. Water is the only beverage of a priest and this must be taken directly from the river or spring. [12]:45[13] The Mandaeans speak an Eastern Aramaic language known as Mandaic. [30]:3940,43[26], As is also the case among the Essenes, it is forbidden for a Mandaean to reveal the names of the angels to a gentile. They were likely a division of the Essenes. (To die at the sacred season of Panja means that the soul of the deceased will fly quickly to the worlds of light and escape the tortures and dangers of the purgatories. ) A good deed should be done in secret and not for show. [23]:184 Similarly, Essene graves are also oriented north-south. [The General Assembly] is similar to a parliament and is responsible for the enactment of laws according to the community's internal regulations. Mandaean Writings - Volume 1 Issue 2. [23][42] Mandaeans recognize God to be the eternal, creator of all, the one and only in domination who has no partner. Magames - who is the first lady in the history of Iraq who holds a religious position - believes that many have false stereotypes about the Sabeans and must be changed, explaining that some accuse them of worshiping planets and stars because of their kiss towards the North Pole, or that they suffocate the dead animals to eat them, and other A person can strengthen the Nishimtha over the Ruha by Knowledge, purity and cleanliness (physical & spiritual) avoiding evil and performing good deeds and prayers. It is usually built as a rectangle about 12' by 16'. mandaean marriage rules mandaean marriage rules . [90] Some scholars believe it is impossible to establish their original identity with any degree of certainty. Life Recognition of the existence of one God, whom Nasurai call "Hayyi" which in Aramaic means "the Living" or life itself. The Practice of "Giving Back" When you follow your impulse toward generosity by making a financial contribution to support your teacher and the teachings, you are engaging in the ancient Mandaean practice. TAMASHA BAPTISM: The second, the tamasha, is a simple triple immersion in the river, again this is performed without the aid of the priest or priestess. There is no eternal punishment because God is merciful and forgiving. Sidra d Nishmatha (The Book of Souls). This is a talismanic seal ring and bears representations of a lion, scorpion, bee (or wasp) and serpent. [30]:65, Mandaeans were called "Christians of Saint John" by members of the Discalced Carmelite mission in Basra during the 16th and 17th centuries, based on reports from missionaries such as Ignatius of Jesus. [116]:217 Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Noah, Shem, Aram and especially John the Baptist. A mand (Arabic: ) (beth manda) or mashkhanna[57] is a place of worship for followers of Mandaeism. The mandi is oblong in shape, the north and south walls being the longer walls and is built so that a person entering the opening in the middle of the south wall will enter facing north i.e.. glance or gaze at the North Star, which is also the point of gaze during prayers. A phrase in the Manual of Discipline reads: that they may behold the Light of Life. They are Mandaeans, the descendants of one of Iraq's oldest religious minorities that they claim predates Islam, Christianity and even perhaps Judaism. [112][bettersourceneeded], Hemerobaptists (Heb. [38] Mandaeans continue to be called Sabians to this day. [26]:ix[25], The religion has primarily been practiced around the lower Karun, Euphrates and Tigris, and the rivers that surround the Shatt al-Arab waterway, part of southern Iraq and Khuzestan province in Iran. The latter head to tail encircles the others, it is attached by an iron chain to a haftless iron knife. Updates? [40] Purification for a dying person is also performed. Mandaeans do not consider John to be the founder of their religion but they revere him as their greatest teacher who renews and reforms their ancient faith,[19]:101[1]:24 tracing their beliefs back to Adam. He described them as believing in a secret law of God recorded in alluring texts, despising circumcision, venerating John the Baptist above all and washing repeatedly to avoid condemnation by God. Others argue for a Syro-Palestinian origin, basing their case on the quasi-historical Mandaean document, the Haran Gawaita, which narrates the exodus from Palestine to Mesopotamia in the 1st century ad of a group called Nasoreans (the Mandaean priestly caste as opposed to Mandaiia, the laity). Light The second vivifying power is light, which is represented by a personification of light, Melka d Nhura (the King of Light) and the light spirits, who bestow health, strength, virtue and justice . Versuch eines geschichtliches Bildes bis zur frh-islamischen Zeit", chap. PRIESTHOOD 2ND STAGE: During the next stage, the would-be priest must remain isolated (with exception of the presence of the Ganzivra) in a newly built reed hut on the Mandi grounds and must remain awake for this period, which lasts for seven days (i.e.. Sunday to Sunday). The Mandaeans have been associated with the Hemerobaptists on account of both practicing frequent baptism and Mandaeans believing they are disciples of John. Priests recite verses from Mandaean holy scripture in Aramaic. [5][19][20] Others claim a southwestern Mesopotamia origin. Zidqa (almsgiving) is also practiced in Mandaeism with Mandaean laypeople regularly offering alms to priests. The Mandaeans do have an elaborate baptism ritual system. [12]:28, According to E. S. Drower, the Mandaean Gnosis is characterized by nine features, which appear in various forms in other gnostic sects:[25]:xvi, The religion extolls an intricate, multifaceted, esoteric, mythological, ritualistic, and exegetical tradition with the emanation model of creation being the predominant interpretation. [102], Early Mandaean religious concepts and terminologies recur in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Yardena (Jordan) has been the name of every baptismal water in Mandaeism. It can be or is made from reeds and bricks and is always built on the right bank of the river facing the north with the lustration pool to the south of it. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The Mandaean marriage service occurs both in Paris and in Oxford as an independent MS. There should be no sale of foodstuffs as these should be offered to the needy. Mandaeans, an ethno-religious group mostly living in Iraq and Iran, are bearers of a Gnostic tradition based on the scriptures written in Mandaic. In the ethical system of the Mandaeans, cleanliness, health of body and ritual obedience must be accompanied by purity of mind, health of conscience and obedience to moral laws. The Mandaean marriage service occurs both in Paris and in Oxford as an independent MS. [61] God created the human body complete, so no part of it should be removed or cut off, hence circumcision is considered bodily mutilation for Mandaeans and therefore forbidden. The only known literary parallels are in Essene texts from Qumran such as the Community Rule, which has similar phrases such as the "house of Perfection and Truth in Israel" (Community Rule 1QS VIII 9) and "house of Truth in Israel. [50], Mandaean religious texts may have been originally orally transmitted before being written down by scribes, making dating and authorship difficult. Manichaeism, Valentianism]. The Mandaean Book of John - A complete open access translation of this central scripture, published in 2020, edited by Charles G. Hberl and James F. McGrath. Exactly when the Mandaeans emigrate from the Jordan valley to the rivers and marshes of . Quispel, G., Gnosticism and the New Testament, Vigiliae Christianae, vol. The Mandaeans also developed an elaborate cultic ritual, particularly for baptism, which was not characteristic of any other known Gnostic sect. This part of the marriage ceremony involves only the groom. Though it is different from the other six of these seven sects, it causes schism only by forbidding the books of Moses like the Nasaraean. The soul is portrayed as an exile, a captive; his home and origin being the supreme Entity to which he eventually returns. (Photo: Hasan Sarbakhshian) (See the priest holding a Margna in the illustration at the top of the page) The Shom Yawar is a gold ring bearing the inscription Shum Yawar Ziwa and is worn on the little finger of the right hand. It is implied in the Quran that the Sabians belonged to the 'People of the Book' (ahl al-kitb). The use of this cross emblem has confused many as to the Mandaean's relationship with Christianity. Qumran is certainly filled with ritual bathing pools and one quite large community Miqvah has been uncovered outside of the Essene Synagogue / Temple site in the Essene quarter of Jerusalem. The important religious texts survived in manuscripts that are not older than the sixteenth century, with most coming from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A mand must be built beside a river in order to perform mabuta (baptism) because water is an essential element in the Mandaean faith. Both man and woman must perform this ablution immediately after sexual intercourse, it must be performed after touching a dead body, after nocturnal pollution or any serious defilement or contact with a defiled person, as impurity is contagious - a person touching an unclean person, himself becomes unclean. The Mandaeans are taught to love their neighbours. 6 of F. Altheim and R. Stiehl, Mead, G. R. S., Gnostic John the Baptizer: Selections from the Mandaean John-Book, Dumfries & Galloway UK, Anodos Books (2020). PRIESTHOOD GANZIVRA STAGE: Consecration to the Ganzivrite, or Bishop, can only take place when some pious aged person in the community is near death, since the Ganzivite must perform a funeral service as part of their initiation. Mandaeism or Mandaeanism (Mandaic: Mandaiuta, Arabic: Mand'iyya) is a monotheistic religion.The religion has a strong dualistic world view. These are Jews like the former originally came from Nabataea, Ituraea, Moabitis, and Arielis, the lands beyond the basin of what sacred scripture called the 'Salt Sea'. As a small endogamous group under the hegemony of the non-Mandaeans and exposed to epidemics, they always have been under the threat of cultural extinction. [45] Fasting in Mandaeism is called sauma. The Mandaeans viewed Jesus as a false messiah but revered John the Baptist, who performed miracles of healing through baptism, which the Mandaeans viewed as a magical process giving immortality, purification, and physical health. Only that grows from a seed is lawful for food (hence a mushroom is forbidden). All killing and blood letting is supposedly sinful and it is forbidden to kill female beasts. John is believed to be a messenger of Light (nhura) and Truth (kushta) who possessed the power of healing and full Gnosis (manda). All their fruits and vegetables must be eaten raw. It includes bathing involving a threefold sprinkling of river water over the person from head to feet.[40]. As a liturgical rather than esoteric text, it contains instructions and hymns for the Mandaean marriage ceremony. Even then he has not attained to true enlightenment, for this, called 'Nairuta', is reserved for a very few. [67]:78[68] Kevin van Bladel claims that Mandaeism originated no earlier than 5th century Sassanid Mesopotamia, a thesis which has been criticized by James F. Mandaean PracticesPRAYER: Mandaeans must face the North (Pole) Star during prayers. He claims that one should not face this direction, but should face Jerusalem from all quarters. [1]:4 There is evidence for women priests, especially in the pre-Islamic era. [23][1] Ptahil is the lowest of a group of three emanations, the other two being Yushamin (Classical Mandaic: , the 'Second Life' (also spelled Joshamin) and Abatur (Classical Mandaic: ), the 'Third Life'. When a man becomes a priest he leaves 'Mandaeanism' and enters tarmiduta, 'priesthood.' Mandaean women do not wear hijab, but Mays says that after the war, women who did not cover their heads were threatened. [1]:7,8, The most common name for God in Mandaeism is Hayyi Rabbi ('The Great Life' or 'The Great Living God'). The emigrants went first to Haran (possibly Harran in modern-day Turkey), or Hauran and then the Median hills in Iran, before finally settling in the southern provinces of Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Mandaean Beliefs Life Recognition of the existence of one God, Happy Dehwa Hanina to The Mandaeans All over the World, Copyright 2013 Mandaean Associations Union, Mr Naman Abdul Jader a Shining Star in Mandaean Histoty, Written by Jesus too, according to Mandaean theologians, was a Nasurai, but he was a rebel, a heretic, who led men astray, betrayed secret doctrines, and made religion easier (i.e. [122] Birger A. Pearson also compares the "Five Seals" of Sethianism, which he believes is a reference to quintuple ritual immersion in water, to Mandaean masbuta. Prior to 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court extended marriage rights to gay and lesbian partners . Epiphanius describes the Ossaeans as following: After this Nasaraean sect in turn comes another closely connected with them, called the Ossaeans. [112][111][115], Initially, these interactions [between Mandaeans and Jewish mystics in Babylonia from Late Antiquity to the medieval period] resulted in shared magical and angelogical traditions. [16] The term Sabians derives from the mysterious religious group mentioned three times in the Quran. This is rarely the case since polygamy is acceptable, especially amongst priests, and a fellow priest is willing to marry for the sake of his colleague. The approach to the slaughter of animals for consumption is always apologetic. Traditionally, any ganzer who baptizes seven or more ganzern may qualify for the office of riama. He was not permitted to re-enter until three days have passed. CLOTHING: The rasta or ritual dress, also called the ustlia' in Mandaean texts, must be worn on all religious occasions such as baptism, marriage and death (in particular). This is supposed to be in five or seven parts and is intended for priests only. The Great "First World". Today, they are a . (The Mandeaens do not presently carry their dravsha banner in procession.). Thus, the historical merging of the two groups gave rise to the Mandaeans of today. [1]:5, Around 1290, a Dominican Catholic from Tuscany, Ricoldo da Montecroce, or Ricoldo Pennini, was in Mesopotamia where he met the Mandaeans. It must be performed by women after menstruation and after childbirth. Iraqi devotees of an obscure religion who take John the Baptist as their central figure perform virginity tests on their brides and take a dip in the murky Tigris river every Sunday to purify the soul. Prominent amongst them include Manda d-Hayyi, who brings manda (knowledge or gnosis) to Earth,[1] and Hibil Ziwa, who conquers the World of Darkness. [21] Mandaeans assert that their religion predates Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as a monotheistic faith. They considered it unlawful to eat meat or make sacrifices with it. Mani later left the Elkasaites to found his own religion. [65] However, according to the Mandaean Society in America, the number of priests has been growing in recent years. [9] Until the Iraq War, almost all of them lived in Iraq. The head is held erect, and the hands are not used. [104]:552553[93][45]:18[105] As Nasoraeans, Mandaeans believe that they constitute the true congregation of bnai nhura meaning 'Sons of Light', a term used by the Essenes. [24][19][30]:116 They recognize other prophetic figures from the Abrahamic religions, such as Adam, his sons Hibil (Abel) and Sheetil (Seth), and his grandson Anush (Enosh), as well as Nuh (Noah), Sam (Shem), and Ram (Aram), whom they consider to be their direct ancestors. [113][24][114], Maghriya were a minor Jewish sect that appeared in the first century BCE, their special practice was the keeping of all their literature in caves in the surrounding hills of Palestine. Great secrecy is enjoined upon initiates; full explanation of 1, 2, and 8 being reserved for those considered able to understand and preserve the gnosis. The second part (the left) deals only with the souls and its 'ascent' (masiqta) to the realm of light, its hymns are chanted during mass for the dead.Ginza Rba Immersion Ceremony: Book of Souls (Baptism Liturgy) (1-31)Ginza Rba Mass: Masiqta: 32-72Ginza Rba Letter, Hymns, Responses, Prayers: 'ngirta, Hymn, 'niania,Rushma (73-105)Nasurai / Mandaic Glossary: A few Aramaic words encountered in the Ginza Rba.Mandaic Mystical AlphabetB. This was the difference between the Nasaraeans and the others. For men who marry wives from the twelve sects of (other religions). At some point, both Mandaeans and Jews living in Babylonia began to develop similar cosmogonic and theosophic traditions involving an analogous set of terms, concepts, and images. Second, it is thought that the name came from Manda d-Hiia, meaning "Knowledge of Life". In Australia, the Mandaean riama is Salah Chohaili. this person must be ritually pure and of priestly stock, he/she must also have been married and not childless. Reports of them and of their religion have come primarily from outsiders: particularly from Julius Heinrich Petermann, an Orientalist;[29] as well as from Nicolas Siouffi, a Syrian Christian who was the French vice-consul in Mosul in 1887,[30]:12[31] and British cultural anthropologist Lady E. S. Drower.