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A Linguistic Voyage through Manichaeism and Chinese Zoroastrianism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Nahal Tajadod
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The expansion of commerce between the Chinese and Persian states, and the re-establishment of caravan routes, helped make possible the arrival of the first Manichaean missionaries to China in the seventh century of our era. Thus, in 694, a Persian with the title of fuduodan appeared before the Chinese court carrying “the false religion contained in The Book of the Two Principles,” Erzongjing. In 719 another Manichaean dignitary, bearing the title of muzhu and versed in astronomy, was sent to the Chinese emperor by the viceroy of Tokharestan. Some twenty years later, on 16 Jul, 731, a Manichaean Bishop, also called a fuduodan, completed the Compendium of the Doctrines and Rules of the Religion of Mani, the Buddha of Light. The resulting edict, which required the translation of this work, was designed to allow the Chinese authorities both to obtain a complete overview of Manichaeism and to indicate what attitude to take in its regard. Accordingly, the next year (732), an edict was promulgated which, while condemning Manichaeism, granted religious freedom to its non-Chinese adherents.

Type
Research Article
Information
Diogenes , Volume 43 , Issue 171 , September 1995 , pp. 63 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie / International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP)

References

Notes

1. Zhi Pan, Fo zu tong ji (Annals of the Patriarchs of Buddhism), chap. 39, III, pp. 233-238.

2. Wang Qinruo, Ce fu yuan gui, chap. 971, XII, p. 11,406.

3. Zhi Pan, op. cit., chap. 54, IV, pp. 340-349.

4. Ouyang Xiu, Song Qi, Xin Tang shu (A New History of the Tang Dynasty), chap. 217, XIX, p. 6,126.

5. M.G. Deveria, "Musulmans et manichéens chinois," in Journal Asiatique (1897), p. 474.

6. Ibid., p. 479.

7. E. Chavannes, P. Pelliot, "Un traité manichéen retrouvé en Chine," in Journal Asiatique (1911), p. 269.

8. R. Grousset, L'Empire des steppes, Paris, 1969, p. 163.

9. Ibid., p. 163.

10. E. Chavannes and P. Pelliot, "Un traité manichéen retrouvé en Chine", (note 7 above) p. 308.

11. R. Grousset, L'Empire des steppes, p. 163.

12. E. Chavannes and P. Pelliot, (note 7 above), p. 278.

13. Ibid., p. 329.

14. N. Tajadod, Mani, le Bouddha de Lumière, Paris, 1990.

15. Ibid., pp. 47, 90.

16. Ibid., p. 263.

17. The Denkart was an encyclopedia in nine books, of which the first two and the first folio of the third have been lost. The first author of the Denkart was a con temporary of the ninth century Caliph Ma'moun. The Third Book of Denkart takes up moral and theological questions, polemicizing with Islam.

18. J. de Menasce, Le troisième livre du Dênkart, Paris, 1973, p. 101.

19. N. Tajadod, op. cit. pp. 47, 94.

20. H. Corbin, En islam iranien, II, Paris, 1971, p. 86.

21. N. Tajadod, op. cit., pp. 53, 159.

22. See G. Widengren, Les Religions de l'Iran. Paris, 1968, p. 110.

23. N. Tajadod, op. cit., pp. 55, 173.

24. These helpers are purity, truth, greatness, force, vigilance, justice, bravery, pro tection, generation, benediction, pacification, and meditation. See J. de Ham mer, Mémoire sur le culte de Mithra, Paris, 1853, p. 30.

25. N. Tajadod, op. cit., p. 55.

26. See J. Filliozat, L'Inde classique, II, Paris, 1953, p. 569.

27. H. de Lubac, Amida, Paris, 1955, p. 237.

28. N. Tajadod, op. cit., pp. 57, 193-205.

29. They are the Dayinglun (the Gospel), Zintihe (the Treasure), Niwan (the Letters), Eluozon (the Mysteries), Bojiamodiye (the Legends), Juhuan (the Giants), Afuyin (Psalms and Prayers), and Damen heyi (the Image).

30. See G. Haloun and W.B. Henning, "The Compendium of the Doctrines and Styles of the Teaching of Mani, the Buddha of Light," in Asia Major, III (1952), p. 207.

31. N. Tajadod, op. cit., pp. 59, 213-217.

32. G. Haloun and W.B. Henning, Compendium, p. 195.

33. E. Chavannes and P. Pelliot (note 7 above), p. 74.

34. R. Gauthiot, "Quelque termes techniques bouddhiques et manichéens," in Jour nal asiatique (1911), p. 60.

35. N. Tajadod, op. cit., pp. 62-63, 240-244.

36. Zhi Pan, Fo zu tong (Annals of the Buddhist Patriarchs), chap. 39, IX, 71 v6; a similar mention is made in chapter 54, fol. 151 r6.