Studies In World Religions 3.
Foreword
This is an extraordary little book, introducing public I readership to the continuing tradition assocated with John the Baptist (or "the Followers of John" as The New Testsament describes them). From the educational point of view, its high value lies in starting with uncomplicated chapter on a religion not so well known, followed by more probing expositions about deeper insights that most readers will feel privileged to receive for the first time in their lives, It turns out that the movement we often connect to John has survived as the longest- and last-surviving Gnostic religion, called Mandacism as a the Way of Gnosis (True Knowledge), with its followers holding the view that their deep wisdom originated in primordiality and will be vital for the ultimate future of humanity and our world. This book confirms the importance of Baptism for the Mandaean way of worship, and it is to be performed regularly throughout one's life and not once only, with full baptism being done under a priesthood. The book begins, however, by introducing a whole range of rites, festivals and precepts that characterize Mandaeism outwardly, even though almost every action and collective moment relates back to baptism. Then, as the study progresses, it becomes more and more obvious that Mandaean theology and theophany are all about cosmic baptismal processes, so that not only the terrestrial world but the whole divinely unfolded order is mystically percolated by Living Water, or Yardnā (Yardna), the cosmic Jordan. As the popular Head of the Mandacan-Nasoraeans, and a Professor in Arabic, Semities and Study of Religions, the author of this book, Brikha Nasoraia, takes us on an amazing journey as the top expert in the Mandacan religion and the translator of its highly fascinating esoteric texts in the special Mandaic language. His Middle Eastern tradition seems to link back to the ritual uses of water in very ancient Mesopotamia along the great rivers (Euphrates, Tigris and Karun) that spill into the Persian Gulf. It has many different signs of interaction with the partly lost religion of Media, let alone with late antique Judaism and early Christianity, and dictates 'pillars' of belief and ablutions before worship that form a religious hinterland to early Islam. All these features make it count as a missing link in world religions. What is more, it belongs as part of the so-called Gnostic World, a large body of religious phenomena from the ancient Gnostics, through Manichaeism, the Paulicians, Yezidis, Sufis on to Pansophists, Theosophists, Anthroposophists and related movements in today's religious 'market-place. And by now, because of persecution, which is discussed in the last part of the book, Mandaeans are present in diaspora in many contexts across the planet. I commend the high priest and chief religious Nasoraeanauthority Professor Brikha Nasoraia for getting us beyond typical passing glimpses of his tradition to open up its high principles, worthy ritual intentions and some of its esoteric symbols and their meanings. Mandaean artwork, we stress, is unique in its stick-figure representations, and is the only continuous and surviving art style from ancient Gnosticism. I naturally also commend the author for providing such in-house revelations of his knowledge-system. As well as a constant practitioner he remains a charismatic leader for the Mandaean people, the President of the International Mandaean Naşoraean Supreme Council (and of the Mandaean Spiritual Council of Australia) no less.
About The Book
The Mandaeans, commonly called the Followers of John the Baptist, are the longest surviving Gnostics, and this book is the first in-depth study of their practices, especially their baptismal rites, and their teachings of deep knowing in mystical literature and fascinating stick-figure art. Mostly from Iraq and Iran, through persecution the Mandaeans have been scattered around the globe.
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