Mani and the Prophet Buddha

In the name of the Father of Greatness, and of all His emanations.

Mani is often called the Buddha of Light, primarily coming from Eastern cultures. Jesus and Zarathustra were also dubbed as Buddha by Eastern Manichaeans. But there is one prophet whom, before Mani preached the true religion, was called the Buddha throughout China and India.

Siddhartha Gautama was an Indian prince whom, after seeing all the darkness and evil that infected the Earth, sought to find the true purpose of life. Through fervent meditation, he was able to find it, thus being called "The Buddha", or the Enlightened One.

Guatama told that the way to escape the darkness of the world was to draw oneself away from the darkness. He called this darkness "dukkha". By refusing the dukkha, one could attain nirvana, the release from dukkha. Until a person attained nirvana, they would be made to reincarnate over and over again.

However, the Buddha did not speak about the framework within which this occurred. Perhaps he did not understand or know, or perhaps he did but it was not written down. Thus, Buddhism was incomplete.

When Mani traveled to India, he sought to study the Indian religions to better understand the true religion of light. Whereupon he learned the philosophy of Buddhism, he too became enlightened. He understood that the Buddhist philosophy fit with the way to the Father of Greatness. Whereas the prophets Jesus and Zarathustra taught at great length about the Father of Greatness and morals, the Buddha taught how to return to the light and escape the darkness, and this makes up a core part of Manichaeism.

Thus, the completion of the teachings of the Buddha, through Mani, spread throughout Asia and Europe, directing and guiding people back to Light. In fact, it was this fulfillment of those teachings that have particularly made Manichaeaism remain in China (though in smaller numbers). And hopefully, it will once more be spread around the world.

May blessings be upon you.