Manichaeism in Central Asia and China (Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies) [Hardcover]

Samuel N. C. Lieu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998 | Series: Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies (Book 45)

The discovery of genuine Manichaean texts from sites like Turfan and Tunhuang since the beginning of the 20th century has greatly increased knowledge of the teaching of Manichaeism and of its geographical spread in pre-Islamic times. This volume amalgamates recent studies of the subject, and includes many Chinese texts on Manichaeism in their original scripts and in translation. It includes a substanial article on the history of the discovery of the texts from Central Asia, as well as other artciles focusing on some of these texts and on the history of adaptation and survival of the sect in China proper. This volume also contains a working catalogue of all Manichaen texts (in Western as well as oriental languages) published up to 1997.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'"Late-twentieth-century students of Manichaeism owe a profound debt to Lieu for his many contributions to the elucidation of that religion. He is the author of what has become the standard English-language exposition of the history of Manichaeism...he is to be congratulated on his splendid achievement.
John C. Reeves, "Church History, 2000.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The diffusion of Manichaeism in Central Asia is documented only in Manichaean historical sources found in Chotcho near Turfan by German explorers at the beginning of the twentieth century. These were recovered in fragmentary condition, but they clearly once belonged to handsome codices produced in the Uighur kingdom in the tenth and eleventh centuries CE, when Manichaeism was the dominant state religion.... --This text refers to the Digital edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 258 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004104054
• ISBN-13: 978-9004104051
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,912,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lieu is the Best, September 29, 2005

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Eric Cason (Citizen of the World!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manichaeism in Central Asia and China (Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies) (Hardcover)

All of his major books are exceptional reading and extremely informative. They aren't for someone who wants a casual understanding of Manichaeism, but they are never unreadably obtuse or so loaded with jargon as to be incomprehensible. I used them extensively in university and was sad when I had to return them to the library.

4.0 out of 5 stars Manichaeaism in Central Asia and China, November 7, 2009

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javafusion - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Manichaeism in Central Asia and China (Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies) (Hardcover)

This is the author's second volume of selected articles on Manichaeism (the first volume, Manichaeism in Mesopotamia & the Roman East, is also published by Brill, 1994), and contains studies on the history and texts of the sect in Central Asia and especially in China. It also contains a working catalog of published Manichaean texts from Central Asia, Egypt and North Africa which is published here for the first time. Several of the essays were published early in Lieu's research career and such is the pace of research and discovery in Manichaean studies that they have all been substantially revised, updated and expanded for this book. Highly recommended.