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Manichaean Letters

The Letters of Mani (Epistles) are a collection of letters written by Mani in Aramaic during his public mission (c. 240–270s CE), collected into one canonical book of Manichaean scripture.|||No complete copy survives. Lengthy citations in Latin (Augustine), Coptic, Middle Persian, and Uighur fragments from Egypt and Xinjiang. A list of titles preserved in Arabic by Ibn al-Nadīm.|||Written c. 240–270s CE.|||Canonical in Manichaeism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.|||The letters of Mani provide direct insight into his teaching and leadership of the Manichaean community. They we're read for centuries as guides to life and faith and we're used in liturgy.|||Gardner, I. The Letters of Mani: A Lost Scripture of the Late Antique World. Oxford University Press, 2026.|||Gardner, I. " Once More on Mani's Epistles and Manichaean Letter-Writing." Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum 17 (2013): 291–314.|||Letters of Mani — OUP|https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-letters-of-mani-9780198892755|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

Written c. 240–270s CE.

Language & Manuscripts

No complete copy survives. Lengthy citations in Latin (Augustine), Coptic, Middle Persian, and Uighur fragments from Egypt and Xinjiang. A list of titles preserved in Arabic by Ibn al-Nadīm.

Why It Matters for Study

The letters of Mani provide direct insight into his teaching and leadership of the Manichaean community. They we're read for centuries as guides to life and faith and we're used in liturgy.

" Mani, the apostle of Jesus Christ, to his beloved brethren: peace and salvation." — Letters of Mani (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

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

  • " Mani, the apostle of Jesus Christ, to his beloved brethren: peace and salvation." — Letters of Mani (paraphrase) " Mani, the apostle of Jesus Christ, to his beloved brethren: peace and salvation." — Letters of Mani (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 Letters of Mani: A Lost Scripture of the Late Antique World. Oxford University Press, 2026.
Gardner, I. " Once More on Mani's Epistles and Manichaean Letter-Writing." Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum 17 (2013): 291–314.
Letters of Mani — OUP|https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-letters-of-mani-9780198892755|Gardner's critical edition and translation.