CHARACTERISTICS
Baptism
The Mandaean religion is a religion that holds its own seperate idemtity and rituals. The main form of ritual that takes place in the Mandaean religion is repeated baptism in running , fresh water (yardna). The purpose of the use of water is because it is the only form in which the Light World establishes itself on Earth. Baptism consists of two main parts; first comes the actual baptismal ceremony. This consists of a threefold engagement in which the participants dress in the sacred white garments known as the rasta, a threefold signing of the forehead with water, a threefold gulp of water, the crowning which is carried out with a small klila and the laying on of hands by the priest. The second part consists od the smearing with sesame oil, the unity of bread (phita) and water (mambuha) and the sealing of the participant against evil spirtis. The purpose and meaning of baptism is to stop the engagement of evil spirits, enters into close unity with the world of light in which the person receives physical well-being, protection against the spirits of the death and the promise of everlasting life to the soul and most importantly it is seen as a sign of purity and a way of riding of your sins. The majority of members live in the South Western Region of Sydney and thus the majority of the baptism takes place at the Nepean River located in Penrith. Baptism takes place on various occasions such as during eid, the uniting of marriage and also when a person becomes a priest known as tarmida.
Mendi
The Mendi is known to be the Mandaean sanctuary just like a church, mosque or temple. Is consists of a very simple and small house with an angled roof. Inside the church words of wisdom and prayers written in the Mandaean language grace the walls of the Mendi and the holy symbol is carved on the wall in which symbolises the faith of the Mandaean religion. The holy bible known as the Ginza Raba is placed carefully in the middle of the stage and the priests reads extracts from the bible. A pool is placed in front of the Mendi which is connected to a nearby river. Candles are placed at the back of the Mendi and when the ceremony is officially over, one is able to light a candle in which it is believed you are lighting the path of your future. There are rules in which a person must follow before entering the Mendi. Females must gracefully toss a whit cloth loosely on their heads as this symbolises purity. When one enters the Mendi they are there to connect with God (Haii) and to talk about their burdens and their problems but also to give thanks. There are very few Mendi's in Australia, up to 5 Mendi's across Australia will be present in communities. One has recently being established in Sydney located on Speed Street, Liverpool.
What makes up the Sabain Mandaean community?
Symbol
The religious symbol of the Mandaean religion is known as the "Darfesh." The symbol consists of a cross composed of wood which is covered by a piece of white silk and crowned with a "Klila" which is known to be as a crown and wreath. The wreath is used to symbolise the crown of victory in which this is used during a prayer reading. The crowning includes a piece of twisted gold wire beneath the cross -piece which is used to secure seven twigs. This is then carried and placed on riverbanks for when baptism and other rituals such as the belssing of the priest take place. The darfesh is seen as the baptism dress on symbolic body and the banner is a light-symbol which reflects the radiance and brightness of the divine faith of the Mandaean religion.
Eid
The Mandaean community have distinctive celebrations known as eid in which are celebrated throughout the year. There is one major eid in which all the Mandaean community celebrate each year. This eid is known as the Mandaean Great New Year (karsa). This celebration is held on July 21st and it is referred by many as 'Kansia Uzahila' which means sweeping and cleaning. The days leading up to the celebration are spent preparing in which the house is cleaned, food and slaughtering are finished and prepared before sunset, water is stored to last for th next 36 hours and all Mandaean members will be busy baptising. Just before the sun sets, a Mandaean must perform the three-fold engagemen (Tamasha) and will retire at their house or relative's house. After the sun has set, no matter what the reason is, a Mandaean must not leave their house for the next 36 hour. The reason in which the person must not leave their house for the 36 hour period as this is the time that the Mandaean will be without their guardian spirits in which they have gone to pay their respects to the Lord of Greatness. If one leaves their house they have been contaminated and they have come in contact with Ruha. Once the 36 hour period has finished, the Mandaean community are now able to leave their homes and go and visit other relatives and families, however their first stop must be to the priest in which a baptism is held. Following the completion of the 36 hour period is a great feast that is held at the time the dates ripen. Every Mandaean will cook a feast that includes dates, meat, rice, yoghurt, fruit etc. and rejoice in what is a new year. Majority of the Mandaean eids will always end with a baptism and a great feast. Some will require us to stay at home for a period of time and some might require us to fast for 5 days eating no meat or dairy products. It is the Mandaean eids and celebrations that characterises the customs and traditions of an old religion.
Holy Book
The Mandaean Holy Book known as the Ginza Raba is a book that has long being treasured by the Mandaean religion and is what allows for others to have an insight into the Mandaean religion. The Mandaean Holy Book is written in the Aramaic language and the Mandaean script. The Ginza Raba is studied and taught by the priests, and its occurence is required in the performance of the Mandaean rituals. The Ginza is seperated into two parts; the Right Ginza and the Left Ginza. The Ginza consists of extracts that talk about the creation of the world and human beings, descriptions of humans on earth, moral teachings, arguments against other faiths and songs. The left Ginza is known and referred to as the "book of the dead" in which it deals with the fate of the soul. In this book it mentions the death of Adam and also the Left Ginza focuses on the complaints of the soul in the earthly world. The Right Ginza contains stories about Hibil and Ruha and the creation of the world. John the Baptist explains his teachings in the Right Ginza 7 and several moral instructions and warnings against surrender to evil. In the Mandaean religion everyone is prohibited to read and own the bible, not just the priest. Currently, the Mendi all around Australia are translating the Ginza Raba in English and distributing them to Mandaean families.
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