Mandaeism

Mandaeism, also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnostic and monotheistic and religion with Greek, Iranian, and Jewish influences. It has primarily been practiced in portions of modern Iraq and Iran around the lower Karun, Euphrates, and Tigris rivers, as well as the rivers that surround the Shatt al-Arab waterway. Mandaeans revere Adam, Abel, Seth, Enos, Noah, Shem, Aram, and, chiefly, John the Baptist. Adam is regarded as the founder of Mandaeism and John the Baptist as its greatest and final prophet. Outside their Middle Eastern community, the Mandaeans are more commonly known as the Ṣubba, or as Sabians. The term Ṣubba is derived from an Aramaic root related to baptism. The term Sabians is derived from a mysterious religious group mentioned three times in the Quran and was historically claimed by the Mandaeans, as well as by several other religious groups, to gain legal status and protection under Islamic law. The core doctrine of the faith is called Nāṣerutā (meaning Nasoraean gnosis or divine wisdom) and adherents are called nāṣorāyi (Nasoraeans or Nazorenes). These Nasoraeans are divided into tarmidutā (priesthood) and mandāyutā (laity). The designation mandāyutā implies possession of knowledge, or manda. Mada is also the source for the term Mandaeism which encompasses the entire Mandean culture. The Mandaeans have remained separate and intensely private, so information about their culture and religious practices has been gathered from outsiders. According to the Mandaean text which recounts their early history (the Haran Gawaita, or Scroll of Great Revelation), Nasoraean Mandaeans who were disciples of John the Baptist left Palestine to flee persecution and migrated to Media in the first century. The emigrants first journeyed to Haran, then to the Median hills, and finally settled in southern Mesopotamia. Mandaeans claim that their religion predates Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and believe that they are the direct descendants of Noah's son Shem. There are three principal Mandaen beliefs. (1) Recognition of one God known as Hayyi Rabbi, meaning The Great Life or The Great Living God, whose symbol is Living Water (Yardena). It is therefore necessary for Mandaeans to dwell near a river. God personifies the sustaining and creative force of the universe. (2) The Power of Light, which is vivifying and personified by Malka d-Nhura (King of Light), another name for Hayyi Rabbi, and the uthras, or angels or guardians, that provide health, strength, virtue and justice. The Drabsha is viewed as the symbol of Light. (3) The immortality of the soul, which receives rewards and punishments in the afterlife. There is no eternal punishment because God is merciful. Mandaean Gnosis is characterized by features which appear in various forms in other gnostic sects. The two most important ceremonies in Mandaean worship are baptism (Masbuta) and 'the ascent' (Masiqta – a mass for the dead or ascent of the soul ceremony). Unlike most Christian denominations, baptism is not a single event, but is performed every Sunday, the Mandaean holy day, as a ritual of purification. Baptism usually involves full immersion in flowing water, and all rivers considered appropriate for baptisms are called Yardena (after the River Jordan). A Mandaean's grave must be in the north–south direction so that if the dead Mandaean were stood upright, they would face north (Essene graves are also oriented north–south. Living Mandaeans must also face north during prayers which are performed three times a day. A mandī (beth manda or mashkhanna) is a place of worship for followers of Mandaeism. A mandī must be located beside a river in order to perform maṣbuta (baptism). It is estimated that there are currently 60,000–100,000 Mandaeans worldwide but, due to regional turmoil, few of these still inhabit the Middle East.