15 Manichaean Laws
Manichaean 15-Level Spiritual Progression: From Novice to Master
Below is a 15-level system of spiritual advancement in Manichaeism, reorganizing the Ten Commandments for Hearers and the Five Principles (Three Seals) for the Elect into a progressive path from novice to master. Each stage is linked to a deeper Manichaean principle, reflecting the journey from ethical purity to cosmic liberation of light.
1. Avoidance of Idolatry
Description: Rejecting false gods and material attachments, focusing
solely on the Father of Greatness.
Manichaean Principle: Purity of Worship – Recognizing the One God of
Light as the sole source of divine truth, aligning the soul with the World
of Light.
Practice: Refusing to worship idols or material objects, affirming
monotheistic devotion through daily prayers.
Progression: A novice Hearer begins by purifying their faith, laying
the foundation for spiritual focus.
2. Truthfulness in Speech
Description: Avoiding lies and deceit, speaking only what aligns with
divine truth.
Manichaean Principle: Liberation through Purity of Speech – Words must
reflect the light of truth, avoiding the darkness of falsehood that binds
the soul.
Practice: Practicing honesty in all interactions, avoiding slander
or gossip.
Progression: Builds on rejecting idolatry by ensuring speech aligns
with divine reality.
3. Rejection of Greed
Description: Overcoming attachment to wealth and material possessions,
prioritizing spiritual over worldly gain.
Manichaean Principle: Detachment from Darkness – Greed traps light
in material forms; renouncing it frees the soul for spiritual ascent.
Practice: Living simply, giving generously to the poor and the Elect.
Progression: Introduces detachment, preparing the novice for deeper
renunciation.
4. Abstaining from Theft
Description: Refraining from taking what belongs to others, respecting
the material world as a vessel of trapped light.
Manichaean Principle: Non-Harm to Light – Stealing disrupts the cosmic
balance and further entangles light in darkness.
Practice: Ethical conduct in transactions, ensuring fairness and respect
for others’ possessions.
Progression: Reinforces ethical purity, focusing on actions that affect
the material world.
5. Avoiding Murder
Description: Refraining from killing any living being, recognizing
that all life contains particles of light.
Manichaean Principle: Preservation of Light – Killing traps or scatters
divine light, hindering its liberation.
Practice: Practicing non-violence (ahimsa) toward humans, animals,
and plants, especially for Hearers preparing for asceticism.
Progression: Deepens the commitment to non-harm, a precursor to the
Elect’s stricter non-violence.
6. Chastity in Action
Description: Avoiding adultery and sexual misconduct, controlling desires
that bind light to matter through procreation.
Manichaean Principle: Containment of Light – Sexual activity creates
new material vessels, trapping more light; chastity prevents this.
Practice: Maintaining purity in relationships, avoiding lustful behavior.
Progression: Introduces control over physical desires, preparing for
the Elect’s full chastity.
7. Rejection of False Teaching
Description: Avoiding teachings that contradict Mani’s revelation,
adhering to true doctrine.
Manichaean Principle: Gnosis as Salvation – Correct knowledge of the
cosmos (light vs. darkness) is essential for liberation.
Practice: Studying Mani’s scriptures (e.g., Shabuhragan, Kephalaia)
to deepen understanding.
Progression: Shifts focus to intellectual and spiritual alignment with
Manichaean truth.
8. Abstaining from Magic
Description: Avoiding sorcery or occult practices, which manipulate
the material minded and entangle light.
Manichaean Principle: Purity of Intention – Spiritual progress requires
reliance on divine light, not dark forces.
Practice: Rejecting superstitious or magical practices, focusing on
prayer and scripture.
Progression: Reinforces purity of intention, preparing for deeper spiritual
commitment.
9. Overcoming Doubt
Description: Cultivating unwavering faith in Mani’s teachings and the
cosmic mission of light.
Manichaean Principle: Trust in Divine Plan – Doubt aligns the soul
with darkness; faith propels it toward light.
Practice: Regular prayer and reflection to strengthen belief in the
Manichaean worldview.
Progression: Marks a transition to active spiritual commitment, preparing
for service.
10. Diligence in Almsgiving
Description: Actively supporting the Elect through providing food and
resources, essential for the liberation of light.
Manichaean Principle: Collective Redemption – Hearers’ alms enable
the Elect to perform the cosmic work of freeing light.
Practice: Offering light-filled foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables) to
the Elect during rituals like the Bema festival.
Progression: Represents the peak of a Hearer’s role, bridging to the
Elect’s responsibilities.
11. Veganism (Seal of the Mouth)
Description: Adopting a plant based diet to minimize harm to light-filled
plants and animals, a requirement for the Elect.
Manichaean Principle: Purification through Consumption – Eating light-filled
foods (e.g., melons) aids in liberating divine particles.
Practice: Consuming only plant-based foods, prepared with ritual care
to maximize light release.
Progression: Marks the transition to the Elect via the Consolamentum,
requiring stricter discipline.
12. Non-Violence (Seal of the Hands)
Description: Avoiding any action that harms living beings, such as
harvesting plants or injuring animals.
Manichaean Principle: Non-Interference with Light – Harm scatters light;
non-violence preserves it for liberation.
Practice: Living gently, avoiding activities like farming that disrupt
light-containing matter.
Progression: Deepens the Elect’s commitment to non-harm, aligning actions
with cosmic redemption.
13. Full Chastity (Seal of the Bosom)
Description: Complete abstinence from harmful sexual activity to prevent
accidently trapping light in new material bodies.
Manichaean Principle: Liberation from mindless Procreation – Chaste
copulation ensures no new vessels of darkness are created.
Practice: Living in a sexually responsible way, in committed honest
relationships, to focus entirely on spiritual goals.
Progression: Elevates the Elect’s purity, focusing on spiritual over
physical creation.
14. Non-Possession
Description: Renouncing all material possessions, living in complete
detachment to focus on the World of Light.
Manichaean Principle: Freedom from Material Bonds – Possessions anchor
the soul to darkness; renunciation frees it.
Practice: Living ascetically, often in communal settings, relying on
alms from Hearers.
Progression: Represents near-complete detachment, preparing for gnostic
realization.
15. Gnostic Mastery (Cosmic Union)
Description: Attaining full knowledge (gnosis) of the Manichaean cosmology
and living as a vessel for light’s liberation, often as a teacher or apostle.
Manichaean Principle: Union with the World of Light – The master embodies
the cosmic mission, guiding others to salvation.
Practice: Leading rituals, teaching scriptures, and performing the
sacred meal to liberate light, culminating in readiness for Paradise upon
death.
Progression: The pinnacle of spiritual ascent, where the Elect master
integrates all principles, achieving liberation and aiding the cosmic redemption.
15 Manichaean Uthrai
Father & Mother (Origin of the Primal Pair)
Primal Pair (Early growth of the Primal Pair)
5 Sons/Daughters of Primal Pair (Differentiation
of the Primal Pair)
Beloved (Venturing forth of the Primal Pair)
Great Builder (Evolvement of the Primal Pair)
Living Spirit (Struggles of the Primal Pair)
3rd Envoy (Maturity of the Primal Pair)
Maiden (Enticement of the Primal Pair)
12 Virgins (Virtue development of the Primal
Pair)
Cross/Youth/Hour of Light/Call and Answer (Fall
of the Primal Pair)
Yeshu Spendor (Awakening of the Primal
Pair)
Light Mind (Enlightenment of the Primal Pair)
Great Judge (Earthly demise of the Primal Pair)
Column (Ascention of the Primal Pair)
Last God (Reunion of the Primal Pair)
15 Sufi Maqamat
Repentance (Tawba):
Description: The initial
turning away from sin and worldly distractions, committing to the spiritual
path.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Sincere
remorse (nadam) and resolve to avoid returning to sin.
Practice: Seeking forgiveness
through prayer (istighfar) and ethical reformation.
Watchfulness (Wara'):
Description: Vigilance in
avoiding actions, thoughts, or desires that distance one from the Divine.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Guarding
the senses (e.g., eyes, tongue) from impermissible acts.
Practice: Self-examination
(muhasaba) and adherence to Universal Law.
Renunciation (Zuhd):
Description: Detachment
from material possessions and worldly ambitions to focus on the Divine.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Spiritual
poverty (faqr), prioritizing divine reliance over worldly gain.
Practice: Simplifying lifestyle
and cultivating contentment.
Poverty (Faqr):
Description: Embracing spiritual
and sometimes material poverty, relying solely on the Divine.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Voluntary
neediness (iftiqar), seeing oneself as utterly dependent on the Divine.
Practice: Giving charity
and minimizing personal desires.
Note: While often a sub-aspect
of zuhd, some Sufi traditions (e.g., Qadiri) treat faqr as a distinct stage.
Patience (Sabr):
Description: Enduring trials,
hardships, and spiritual challenges with steadfastness.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Perseverance
in worship (sabr fi’l-ibada) and patience in adversity.
Practice: Consistency in
prayer, fasting, and trust in the Divine plan.
Trust in God (Tawakkul):
Description: Complete reliance
on God’s will, surrendering personal control.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Abandonment
of fear and anxiety about worldly outcomes.
Practice: Letting go of
excessive planning and trusting divine providence.
Gratitude (Shukr):
Description: Recognizing
and appreciating the Divine blessings in all circumstances.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Gratitude
through action (e.g., using blessings for good deeds).
Practice: Reciting praises
(dhikr) and reflecting on divine favors.
Contentment (Rida):
Description: Accepting God’s
decree with serenity, whether it brings joy or suffering.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Inner
peace (sakina) that transcends external conditions.
Practice: Cultivating equanimity
through meditation and submission.
Sincerity (Ikhlas):
Description: Purifying intentions
to act solely for the Divine pleasure, free from ego or worldly motives.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Eliminating
hypocrisy (riya) and self-admiration.
Practice: Constantly checking
intentions before actions or worship.
Note: Often implicit in
earlier stages, ikhlas is elevated to a distinct maqam in some traditions
(e.g., Shadhili).
Truthfulness (Sidq):
Description: Aligning one’s
inner and outer self with truth, in speech, action, and intention.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Absolute
honesty with oneself and the Divine.
Practice: Practicing integrity
and transparency in all dealings.
Note: Sidq is emphasized
in Naqshbandi teachings as a foundational quality.
Love (Mahabba):
Description: Developing
an intense love for the Divine, which becomes the seeker’s primary
motivation.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Longing
(shawq) for divine closeness and beauty.
Practice: Deepening devotion
through poetry, dhikr, and contemplation of the Divine's attributes.
Yearning (Shawq):
Description: An intense
longing for the Divine presence, often accompanied by spiritual ecstasy.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Restlessness
to attain divine union.
Practice: Focused meditation
(muraqaba) and recitation of divine names.
Note: While shawq is often
a sub-aspect of mahabba, some Sufis (e.g., Rumi’s teachings) treat it as
a distinct stage due to its intensity.
Intimacy (Uns):
Description: Experiencing
a sense of nearness and companionship with the Divine.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Joyful
familiarity with the divine presence.
Practice: Engaging in intimate
supplications (munajat) and reflective solitude.
Note: Uns is sometimes considered
a state (hal) but is treated as a maqam in certain orders for its sustained
cultivation.
Gnosis (Ma’rifa):
Description: Attaining direct,
experiential knowledge of the Divine, beyond intellectual understanding.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Spiritual
unveiling (kashf), perceiving divine realities.
Practice: Advanced contemplation
and guidance from a murshid.
Annihilation (Fana) and Subsistence (Baqa):
Description: Fana is the
dissolution of the ego in God’s presence; Baqa is subsisting with divine
qualities.
Sub-degree/Aspect: Fana
fi’l-Shaykh (annihilation in the guide), Fana fi’l-Rasul (in the Prophet),
and Fana fi’llah (in the Divine), followed by Baqa as living in divine
awareness.
Practice: Intense spiritual
exercises under a murshid’s supervision, often involving prolonged dhikr
and seclusion.
Sucess during this five fortnite season can be
measured in an increased respect and awareness of life and living systems,
improved health, careful management and increase in fertility, offspring,
gardens. Long term, multi year measurements of sucess should
be seen as an increase in the ecology of ones enviroment, greater longevity,
less harm to life. The symbol of this reverence for all life is the kitchen,
greenhouse and a place of fasting.
Peace to all....
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