Library
All Collections Home

Kephalaia

The Kephalaia of the Teacher (Chapter Book) is a Manichaean text presenting the most detailed account available of the teachings of Mani, founder of Manichaeism. It consists of question-and-answer dialogues between Mani and his disciples.|||Coptic text in the Chester Beatty Library (Dublin) and the Berlin State Library. Found at Medinet Madi, Egypt, in 1929.|||Copied in the 4th century CE. Composed in the 3rd century CE, shortly after Mani's death.|||Canonical in Manichaeism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.|||The most detailed account of Mani's teachings. Presents Manichaean cosmology, ethics, and theology in the form of dialogues between Mani and his disciples.|||Gardner, I. The Kephalaia of the Teacher: The Edited Coptic Manichaean Texts in Translation with Commentary. Brill, 1995.|||Schmidt, C. & Polotsky, H. J. Ein Mani-Fund in Ägypten. Akademie-Verlag, 1933.|||Kephalaia — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kephalaia|Background and scholarly discussion.;; Kephalaia — Brill|https://brill.com/view/title/2449|Gardner's critical edition and translation.

Collection: Mandaean & Manichaean Canon: varies

Canon Status

Canonical in Manichaeism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.

Date & Provenance

Copied in the 4th century CE. Composed in the 3rd century CE, shortly after Mani's death.

Language & Manuscripts

Coptic text in the Chester Beatty Library (Dublin) and the Berlin State Library. Found at Medinet Madi, Egypt, in 1929.

Why It Matters for Study

The most detailed account of Mani's teachings. Presents Manichaean cosmology, ethics, and theology in the form of dialogues between Mani and his disciples.

" The Teacher said: The mysteries of the Light are revealed to those who are worthy." — Kephalaia (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " The Teacher said: The mysteries of the Light are revealed to those who are worthy." — Kephalaia (paraphrase) " The Teacher said: The mysteries of the Light are revealed to those who are worthy." — Kephalaia (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Gardner, I. The Kephalaia of the Teacher: The Edited Coptic Manichaean Texts in Translation with Commentary. Brill, 1995.
Schmidt, C. & Polotsky, H. J. Ein Mani-Fund in Ägypten. Akademie-Verlag, 1933.
Kephalaia — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kephalaia|Background and scholarly discussion.;; Kephalaia — Brill|https://brill.com/view/title/2449|Gardner's critical edition and translation.