| Monijiao | |
|---|---|
| 摩尼教 | |
 Mani on a hanging scroll, c. 14th/15th century. | |
| Language | Chinese |
| Origin | c. 10th century |
| Branched from | Manichaeism |
| Separations | Maitreyanism, Pure Land Buddhism, Taoism, White Lotus[1] |
Chinese Manichaeism, also known as Monijiao (Chinese: 摩尼教; pinyin: Móníjiào; Wade–Giles: Mo2-ni2 Chiao4; lit. 'religion of Moni') or Mingjiao (Chinese: 明教; pinyin: Míngjiào; Wade–Giles: Ming2-Chiao4; lit. 'religion of light or 'bright religion'), is the form of Manichaeism transmitted to and currently practiced in China. Chinese Manichaeism rose to prominence during the Tang dynasty and despite frequent persecutions, it has continued long after the other forms of Manichaeism were eradicated in the West.[2] The most complete set of surviving Manichaean writings were written in Chinese sometime before the 9th century and were found in the Mogao Caves among the Dunhuang manuscripts.[3]
Chinese Manichaeism represents a set of teachings with the purpose of inducing awakening (佛; fó), and it is a dualistic religion that believes in the eternal fight between the principles of good/light and evil/darkness, the former being represented by a God known as Shangdi, Míngzūn (明尊; 'Radiant Lord') or Zhēnshén (真神; 'True God'). Salvation is delivered by the Living Spirit (淨活風; Jìnghuófēng) of God, of whom there have been many manifestations in human form, including Mani (摩尼; Móní).[2]
- ^ Yar, Char (2012). "Monijiao Manichaeism in China".
- ^ a b Dr. Char Yar. "Monijiao (Manichaeism) in China". academia.edu. Lecture presented at the Worldwide Conference for Historical Research, 2012.
- ^ Schmidt-Glintzer, Helwig, Chinesische Manichaeica, Wiesbaden, 1987