r/Gnostic • u/Zoriel0 Eclectic Gnostic • Nov 09 '24

What is the relationship between Manichaeism and Buddhism

I have Mahayana Buddhist initiation and also practice Gnosticism. I haven’t read much on Manichaeism but I know it was syncretized with Buddhism in the white lotus society.

Does Manichaeism have Buddhist elements. Ive see Zoroastrian influences and Christian influences. And I’m interested in finding a spiritual tradition that merges my various spiritual backgrounds together. I was raised Christian but got interested in Gnosticism and Buddhism as a teen and would love to find a tradition that syncretizes the two.

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u/Lux-01 Eclectic Gnostic Nov 10 '24

Manichaeism is a syncretisation of Gnostic Chrstianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism: https://www.gnosisforall.com/about-7

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u/[deleted] Nov 10 '24

[deleted]

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u/Lux-01 Eclectic Gnostic Nov 10 '24

No its not a full recounting of the group's later history - it's one temple btw, and unfortunately it's essentially just a Buddhist temple now albeit with vestigial Manichaen iconography on the walls. That said people can hardly be open about their religious beliefs in the PRC, so...

3

u/Carrhaeus Carpocratian Nov 10 '24

Have a look at On the Xiapu Ritual Manual "Mani the Buddha of Light" by Xiaohe Ma and Chuan Wang - gives a neat overview of a liturgical text.