Dr. Max Deeg
Friday, 7th March 2008
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theater
Jaina Art & Architecture
10th Jaina Studies Workshop at SOAS
Indian Influence on Mani Reconsidered: The Case of Jainism
Lecture. "Indian Influence on Mani Reconsidered: The Case of Jainism". Dr. Max Deeg, Cardiff University
Dr. Max Deeg, Deptartment of Religious and Theological Studies, Cardiff University
Abstract:
When Antique or late-Antique or Middle-Eastern authors write on Indian religion, especially on the so-called śramaṇa-movements, it is usually assumed that they describe and refer to Buddhism. This paper will explore two cases of possible Jain presence in non-Indian contexts, one found in the description of Indian religious of the Syriac writer Bardesanes of Edessa (154 - 222) and another in the teachings of Mani (216 - 276) as found in the Koptic text Kephalaia. It will be argued that the descriptions given and the religious terms / concepts presented and discussed - usually taken as Buddhist - make much more sense if they are interpreted as representing or be derived from Jainism.
The first 10 minutes on video:
Full Speech Audio:
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