Changes and Core teaching in the Development of Manichaeism as a World Religion

What is it about?

Manichaeism was a very missionary-focussed religion spreading from the Middle East to Egypt and eastwards to China. In this article I ask the basic question whether, as the religion travels to many different lands, it keeps the same core teaching, or do new practices or new perspectives of various communities mean that we really have a variety of Manichaeisms.

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Why is it important?

The question I ask of Manichaeism is relevant for any religion as it develops from its founding community. There are inevitably changes over time in cultural and socio-political settings which require communities to consider how the original religious teaching might require some changes in response. Manichaeism offers a clear development phase as it moves from west to east, but what is writ large for Manichaeism can be used as a way of approaching even the smaller developments in other religions.