| I mentioned the Manichaeans previously, but they really belong in this context and time period. Manichaeans were another ascetic sect like the Essenes and the Theraputae, founded in Persia in the 3rd century AD, by a fellow called “Mani.” They subscribed to a spiritual dualism that appears to be derived from Zoroastrianism and incorporating elements of Egyptian Gnosticism as the road to eternal salvation. Basically, deliverance from the duality of good and evil through the teachings of Gnosis. The Manichaeans considered wine to be the “bile of Satan.” (22) Mani originally wrote in Syriac and Persian, fragments of which have been found in all the major Iranian and proto-Turkish dialects as well as Coptic. A large body of his work that was translated and circulated in Latin and Greek was later destroyed by early Christianity. (23) Eventually, Manichaeism, called Ming-Cho or the “Religion of Light” spread to China where it was banned as a secret society in 732 AD. (24) A Manichean temple in Buddhist disguise still exists in Quanzhou in the South Chinese Fujian province. (25) From Iranicaonline.org we read, “Mani regarded his doctrine not as the religion of a region, a state, or a chosen people, but as the completion of the preceding great religions of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism. It incorporated traditions of those and many other religions and doctrines.” (26) Quoting Frederick Wisse, the editor for this section of the Nag Hammadi Library: “Before the discovery of the fragments of the Coptic version in Nag Hammadi Codex XII, the Sentences of Sextus were known through Latin, Syriac, Armenian, and Georgian translations, as well as through two manuscripts in the original Greek. Apart from some patristic quotations, the Coptic version is by far the oldest witness to this collection of wisdom sayings.” (27) In proverbs 1 we read the following: (1) The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: (2) for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; (3) for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; (4) for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young -- (5) let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— (6) for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. (7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. The following passages are from the Sentences of Sextus. They appear to be the origin of some of the Biblical texts such as Proverbs. Though they do not deal with mushrooms or entheogens directly, the words are truly inspired by their use. If everyone could learn to live more in accordance with these principles, the world would be a lot better off. The Sentences of Sextus are the most spiritual and beautiful collection of proverbs I have seen gathered together in one place, so a few highlights are reproduced here: |
(158/159) [Love] the truth, and the lie [use] like poison. (160) [May] the right time precede your words. (161/162) [Speak] when it is not proper [to be silent], but [speak concerning] the things you know (only) then [when] it is fitting. (163b) [When it is] proper to act, do not [use a] word. (164b) [While it is] a skill [to speak], it is also [a] skill [to be silent]. (165a) It is [better] for you to be defeated [while speaking the truth], than to be victorious [through deceit]. (165b) [He] who is victorious through [deceit] is [defeated] by the truth. (165c) [Untrue words] are [characteristic of] evil persons. (166) {Faithful] is he who is first with all [good works]. (167) Wisdom leads [the soul] to the place of [God]. (168) [There is no] kinsman of the [truth except] wisdom. (171b) When you [are] with believing persons, desire [to listen rather than] to speak. (172) A pleasure-[loving] man is useless [in everything]. (176) [A wise man is] a doer of good works after God. (179) [What you do not] want to [happen to you, do not do it] yourself [either]. (309) [After] God, no one is as free as the wise man. (310) [Everything] God possesses, the wise man has also. (323) The fear of [death] grieves man because of the ignorance of the soul. (326b) A godly heart produces a blessed life. (336) It is better to serve others than to make others serve you. (346) Say with [your] mind that the body [is] the garment of your soul; keep it, therefore, pure since it is innocent. (348/349) Unclean demons do lay claim to a polluted soul; a faithful (and) good soul evil demons will not be able to hinder in the way of God. (371) The love of man is the beginning of godliness. (376a) [A man who] is worthy of God, [he] is God among [men], and [he is] son of God. (384) It is a faithful person fond of learning who is the worker of the truth. (386) [If you] do not do evil to anyone, you will not be afraid of anyone. (394/395) Know who God is and know who is the one who thinks in you; a good man is the work of God. -- -- The Sentences of Sextus (22) Apples of Apollo, p. 160, note #53 (23) ibid, p. 175, note #114 (24) ibid, p. 177 (25) (Bryder, 1988, pp. 201-8) (26) Andreas and Henning, 1933, pp. 295-96 = Henning, 1977, I, pp. 192-93; http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/manicheism-1-general-survey (27) Nag Hammadi, p. 503 |