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One became two, two became three, and three became multitudes. This is gender
Let's go back to the beginning of time
(Explain how world began)
Now this is dialectics, this is what the world is made of, and we are reflections of it - our gender manifests in the same way
The distinguation The unity of opposites The synthesis
This is existence This is gender Dialectics is creation
While Theravada traditions enforce binary roles, Mahayana schools have ordained transgender monks, reflecting flexibility within dualistic frameworks .
dualistic worldview and ethical frameworks reflect broader cultural and ideological shifts tied to patriarchal systems that emerged with the rise of class society and private property
Manichaeism posited a cosmic struggle between light (spirit, good) and darkness (matter, evil), framing the material world—including the human body—as inherently corrupt 189. This dualism aligns with patriarchal ideologies that devalued nature and the physical realm, often associating women with "matter" or "chaos." Engels argued that patriarchy arose alongside private property, as men sought to control women’s reproduction to ensure inheritance through male lineage 315. Manichaeism’s ascetic rejection of the material world (e.g., celibacy, dietary restrictions) mirrored patriarchal efforts to suppress bodily autonomy, particularly women’s roles in reproduction and communal life 914.
The transition from matrilineal to patriarchal societies, as described by Engels and Morgan, occurred millennia before Manichaeism’s emergence. This shift was tied to the Neolithic Revolution (~10,000 BCE), where agriculture and surplus production led to class divisions, private property, and male-dominated inheritance systems 315. By Mani’s time (3rd century CE), patriarchal structures were firmly entrenched in major religions like Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Buddhism—all of which influenced Manichaeism 114. Mani’s teachings thus emerged within a patriarchal milieu rather than directly causing or responding to the overthrow of matrilineal systems.
Manichaean communities were divided into the "Elect" (ascetic elites) and "Hearers" (lay supporters). The Elect practiced strict celibacy and vegetarianism, rejecting procreation as a perpetuation of material bondage 19. This asceticism indirectly reinforced patriarchal norms by devaluing familial and reproductive roles traditionally associated with women. However, Manichaeism also allowed women to join the Elect, offering a rare avenue for spiritual authority in a patriarchal world 14. This ambivalence reflects broader tensions between ascetic movements and societal gender roles.
In matrilineal societies (e.g., Iroquois, Pueblo), kinship and property were traced through women, and decision-making often involved clan mothers 1015. Engels noted that such systems lacked the strict gender hierarchies of patriarchal societies 3. Manichaeism, by contrast, inherited the dualistic and hierarchical frameworks of its time, which were already shaped by millennia of patriarchal consolidation. Its teachings did not explicitly address matrilineal systems but instead operated within a world where patriarchal norms were dominant.
Legacy of Dualism and Gender Hierarchies While Manichaeism itself did not originate from the overthrow of matrilineal systems, its dualistic theology perpetuated ideas that aligned with patriarchal values. For example:
Matter as Evil: Associating the physical world (and by extension, women’s bodies) with corruption 89.
Ascetic Control: Reinforcing the suppression of bodily desires, a theme common in patriarchal religions 14.
Hierarchical Structures: The Elect/Hearer divide mirrored broader social hierarchies, including gender 9.