Abd Allah ibn Muqaffa and the addition of Manichaean thoughts to Kelila and Demna

Document Type : مروری

Abstract

One of the points that Abu Reihan al-Biruni has raised in the book of Tahqiq ma li-l-hind is the tendency or belief of Ibn al-Mugaffa to Mani and the Manichaean tradition and Manichaean beliefs finding their way through the translation of Kalila and Demna to the book. What he said started extensive research, mostly based on textual factors. However, the study of metatextual factors will yield other results, such as: the link of those who contributed to the translation of Kalila and Demna or their encouragers with the Manichaean religion, the infiltration of Kalila and Demna in Sughd and transoxiana, and the long-standing continuity of the land with the Manichaeans and, most importantly, the detailed information of Abu Reihan of the principles of Manichaeans. In addition to these، the interconnectedness of Manichaeism with Buddhism and the distinctiveness of Buddhist ideas in Kalile and Demna show that this work can also be considered by Manichaeans. Putting data together, it turns out that Kalila and Demne has been highly regarded by Manichaeans and accordingly, the point Abu Reihan raised was not unfounded.

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