Gnosticism · ≈1st–2nd century CE
The Gospel of Thomas
Gnosticism · the sayings of Jesus · The Gospel of Thomas
One hundred fourteen secret sayings: the Kingdom will not come – it is already spread across the earth, and few have the eyes to see it.
The essence of the teaching: The Kingdom is not in heaven nor in the future – it is spread across the world, but people do not see it. To know yourself is to come out of poverty; not to know yourself is to become poverty itself. The light within a person lights the whole world.
Transmission
In these sayings Jesus promises no salvation for later – he points to now. The Kingdom of the Father is spread across the earth, and people do not see it. Do not say it is in the sky – or the birds will get there before you; nor in the sea – or the fish will. It is within you and outside you. When you know yourselves, you will be known and will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, you will dwell in poverty, and you yourselves will be that poverty. There is a light within a person of light, and it lights the whole world; if it does not shine – there is darkness. Lift the stone, and you will find me there; split the wood, and I am there.
The full transmission — for members of the School. Here is its essence and its taste.
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