It seems that, John the B may well have been a late insertion, owing perhaps yes, to the need to assume 'people of the book' status, because the ritual baptism initiated by Bihram the Great, also known as Verethraghna, the Indo-Persian deity, central to Zoroastrianism, also identified as Heracles. It's written that John was initiated into baptism by this deity. This deity was a protector deity for the Arsacid Empire, which was in existence, we are told, several hundred years before the birth of John the Baptist.
I also think it's interesting that we don't see that many mentions of Manichaeism with reference to Mandaeanism - yet Mani was in this sect at a very early time before he created his own version, which has multiple similarities, and over time the two sects apparently became rivals, - could we not search it for its true early manifestations? Since he created his religion and his writings, before even the earliest extant Mandaean texts. I think it interesting that according to Manichaeism, their prophets are Zoroaster, Buddha, and Jesus, as well as Mani. I believe the Mandaeans later rejection of Jesus was not of the original character but of the Byzantine church, as has been observed. Perhaps they picked John as still sticking with 'the book' but choosing a character who hadn't been co-opted and whose style reflected their ancient pattern - that of ritual baptism.
Manichaeism is thought long dead - yet - there is a person claiming to be still practising, along with his family, in Uzbekistan, from an unbroken and extremely hidden lineage, who offers for people to visit and enquire with them. In the comments section of his posts, there is much resistance to this person which may well be unfair. there may be more to be learned about the early roots of Mandaeanism from Manichaeism than there is from the track that Mandaeanism eventually took.
It seems that, John the B may well have been a late insertion, owing perhaps yes, to the need to assume 'people of the book' status, because the ritual baptism initiated by Bihram the Great, also known as Verethraghna, the Indo-Persian deity, central to Zoroastrianism, also identified as Heracles. It's written that John was initiated into baptism by this deity. This deity was a protector deity for the Arsacid Empire, which was in existence, we are told, several hundred years before the birth of John the Baptist.
I also think it's interesting that we don't see that many mentions of Manichaeism with reference to Mandaeanism - yet Mani was in this sect at a very early time before he created his own version, which has multiple similarities, and over time the two sects apparently became rivals, - could we not search it for its true early manifestations? Since he created his religion and his writings, before even the earliest extant Mandaean texts. I think it interesting that according to Manichaeism, their prophets are Zoroaster, Buddha, and Jesus, as well as Mani. I believe the Mandaeans later rejection of Jesus was not of the original character but of the Byzantine church, as has been observed. Perhaps they picked John as still sticking with 'the book' but choosing a character who hadn't been co-opted and whose style reflected their ancient pattern - that of ritual baptism.
Manichaeism is thought long dead - yet - there is a person claiming to be still practising, along with his family, in Uzbekistan, from an unbroken and extremely hidden lineage, who offers for people to visit and enquire with them. In the comments section of his posts, there is much resistance to this person which may well be unfair. there may be more to be learned about the early roots of Mandaeanism from Manichaeism than there is from the track that Mandaeanism eventually took.
Here is a link to the Uzbek user:
https://www.reddit.com/r/manichaeism/comments/1l05j4m/who_said_manichae…