Concept of Suffering in the Manichaean Hymns

One of the main themes in Mani's teachings, clearly reflected in Manichean literature, is suffering. In this religion, suffering begins with the fusion of good and evil, or rather the entanglement of light in the darkness, and continues until the end of the world. In fact, this is a cosmic suffering, passing through which under a special process would lead to emancipation and salvation. Hence, an evangelist from the Great Father, the Almighty Manichaean God, descends to free the soul from the suffering of this captivity. This is why strict teachings are taught in Manichaeism, so that the chosen and pious Manichaeans, along with God, participate in emancipating divine lights from the darkness. This research, conducted with an analytical-descriptive method and a focus on Iranian Manichaean hymns, seeks to address the concept of suffering in Manichaeism and provide a better understanding of Manichaean philosophy and mysticism.