Selections from Manichaean Writings: Parables, Part 2 of 2

Parable about the Farmer A Manichaean text in Parthian. “‘... We want to receive favor, and accompany him safely on even paths.’ And this testimony that he has spoken is true. Furthermore, he said, ‘Take heed that no one leads you astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘We are Jesus (disciples), and His time has come.’ And many will deceive them.’”

The Parable about the Two Snakes A Manichaean text in Sogdian. “Here begins the story about the snakes ‘Heavy-to-carry’ and ‘Light-to-carry.’” “Being of one mind, they loved each other so much that one could not bear to be separated from the other. And lo, they went along a path together. After they had traversed much land, one snake glided into a gully. And the other snake proceeded along the way.” “And the snake said, ‘If I endure separation from my dear tail and endure a little pain in my body for the sake of the soul, then I will be able to jump over the pitfall.’ Then it returned to the gully and found the abandoned fire of the shepherd. And it burned off as much of its tail as could be harmful to its body. And, when it had become smaller, the tailless body jumped very lightly and crossed the pitfall safely.

Of these two snakes, one is the person who loves the body, for whom bearing is troublesome, but who is unconcerned about the soul. The second snake is the person for whom the soul is dearer than the body. There is very little poison in them and their attachment to the world is very weak, and the fetters binding their soul are very thin. And the pitfall, the high mountain and the deep body of water are the three trenches. The trapper is Ahriman, and the stone the soul. Ultimately the Old Man, without good works, is the one who cannot jump over the three ditches with the tail of the body. But the chosen New Man has purged the three poisons from the body and has borne in his body the agony caused by observing the Law [True Teachings], and he can endure separation from his dear wife and children and from riches, and on the Final Day his soul will arise from the body and will attain the peace of Paradise...”