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Manichaeism vs. Zoroastrianism — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
Manichaeism is a gnostic religion blending elements of various faiths, emphasizing a dualistic battle between light and darkness, while Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian religion centered on the struggle between good and evil.
Manichaeism vs. Zoroastrianism — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism

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Key Differences

Manichaeism, founded by the prophet Mani in the 3rd century CE, presents a cosmology where light and darkness are locked in eternal conflict. Zoroastrianism, which predates Manichaeism, emphasizes the ethical battle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu).
Manichaeism incorporates teachings from other faiths like Buddhism and Christianity, presenting a syncretic view of salvation. Zoroastrianism, however, is rooted in the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, focusing on following the righteous path as defined in the Avesta.
In Manichaeism, the material world is seen as evil, with salvation being the liberation of light from matter. In Zoroastrianism, the material world is fundamentally good, and individuals have a duty to live righteously to promote the triumph of good.
Manichaeism’s dualism is stark, with clear separations between light and darkness, whereas Zoroastrianism's dualism allows for a more dynamic interaction where good can overcome evil through righteous living.
While Manichaeism spread widely across the ancient world before its decline, Zoroastrianism remains influential in Iran and among the Parsi community in India, keeping its traditions alive despite centuries of persecution.
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Comparison Chart

Founding Prophet

Mani
Zoroaster

Origin

3rd century CE
2nd millennium BCE

Dualism

Absolute (light vs. darkness)
Dynamic (good vs. evil)

Worldview

Material world is evil
Material world is good

Scriptures

Manichaean texts
Avesta

Compare with Definitions

Manichaeism

The belief in two opposing forces, light and darkness.
Manichaeism teaches that the material world is a battleground between light and darkness.

Zoroastrianism

The belief in a single god, Ahura Mazda.
Zoroastrianism is based on devotion to Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity.

Manichaeism

Incorporating elements from various religions.
Manichaeism borrowed concepts from Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism.

Zoroastrianism

A strong focus on living according to good thoughts, words, and deeds.
Zoroastrian ethics encourage adherents to act rightly to defeat evil.

Manichaeism

Strict lifestyle practices to distance from materiality.
Manichaean adherents practiced asceticism to liberate light from matter.

Zoroastrianism

The sacred scripture containing Zoroaster's teachings.
The Avesta outlines Zoroastrian rituals and moral principles.

Manichaeism

Spiritual leader or visionary who establishes a religion.
Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, claimed to be a prophet of universal truth.

Zoroastrianism

The cosmic struggle between good and evil.
Zoroastrianism teaches that good will eventually triumph over evil.

Manichaeism

The ultimate release from the material world.
Manichaeism's path to salvation involves freeing oneself from physical attachments.

Zoroastrianism

Symbolic reverence for fire as a representation of purity.
Fire plays a central role in Zoroastrian rituals as a symbol of divine light.

Manichaeism

Manichaeism (; in New Persian آیینِ مانی Āyīn-e Mānī; Chinese: 摩尼教; pinyin: Móníjiào) was a major religion founded in the 3rd century AD by the Parthian prophet Mani (AD 216–274), in the Sasanian Empire.Manichaeism taught an elaborate dualistic cosmology describing the struggle between a good, spiritual world of light, and an evil, material world of darkness. Through an ongoing process that takes place in human history, light is gradually removed from the world of matter and returned to the world of light, whence it came.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism or Mazdayasna is one of the world's oldest continuously practiced religions, based on the teachings of the Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zaraθuštra in Avestan or Zartosht in Modern Persian). Zoroastrianism has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil and an eschatology which predicts the ultimate conquest of evil by good.

Manichaeism

The syncretic, dualistic religious philosophy taught by the Persian prophet Mani, combining elements of Zoroastrian, Christian, and Gnostic thought and opposed by the imperial Roman government, Neoplatonist philosophers, and orthodox Christians.

Zoroastrianism

The religious system founded by Zoroaster and set forth in the Avesta, teaching the worship of Ahura Mazda in the context of a universal struggle between the forces of light and of darkness.

Manichaeism

A dualistic philosophy dividing the world between good and evil principles or regarding matter as intrinsically evil and mind as intrinsically good.

Zoroastrianism

The religious system of Zoroaster, the legislator and prophet of the ancient Persians, which was the national faith of Persia; mazdeism. The system presupposes a good spirit (Ormuzd) and an opposing evil spirit (Ahriman). Cf. Fire worship, under Fire, and Parsee.

Manichaeism

The doctrines taught, or system of principles maintained, by the Manichæans.

Zoroastrianism

System of religion founded in Persia in the 6th century BC by Zoroaster; set forth in the Zend-Avesta; based on concept of struggle between light (good) and dark (evil)

Manichaeism

A religion founded by Manes the third century; a synthesis of Zoroastrian dualism between light and dark and Babylonian folklore and Buddhist ethics and superficial elements of Christianity; spread widely in the Roman Empire but had largely died out by 1000

Common Curiosities

What is the Avesta?

The Avesta is the primary scripture of Zoroastrianism.

Did Zoroaster influence Mani?

Yes, Manichaeism drew inspiration from Zoroastrian teachings.

Are Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism monotheistic?

Manichaeism is not strictly monotheistic due to its dualistic worldview, while Zoroastrianism is considered monotheistic.

Do both religions believe in afterlife judgment?

Yes, both believe in the concept of a final judgment after death.

What is Ahura Mazda’s role in Zoroastrianism?

Ahura Mazda is the supreme god representing truth and light.

Does Manichaeism promote ascetic practices?

Yes, to separate light from the darkness of the material world.

What is the primary ethical principle in Zoroastrianism?

"Good thoughts, good words, good deeds" is a core ethical principle.

What is the main focus of Manichaeism?

Manichaeism emphasizes freeing light from darkness and escaping the material world.

What is the role of fire in these religions?

Fire is central in Zoroastrian rituals but less emphasized in Manichaeism.

Are there current followers of these religions?

Manichaeism is nearly extinct, while Zoroastrianism has a small but active following.

Is Manichaeism still practiced today?

Manichaeism is mostly extinct, with only traces remaining.

Do Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism have similar dualistic views?

Both are dualistic, but Manichaeism’s dualism is more absolute.

How did Manichaeism incorporate other faiths?

Mani blended elements of Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism.

How do their views on materialism differ?

Manichaeism views the material world as evil, while Zoroastrianism sees it as fundamentally good.

Did Zoroastrianism directly influence Christianity?

Some scholars believe elements of Zoroastrianism influenced early Christian ideas.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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