The Encyclopedia of World Religions

Manu S 277

ichaean. As a result of this opposition the head of the Manichaean hierarchy shifted his residence to Samarkand, now in southern Uzbekistan. Man ichaeism also suffered in east Asia. The Chinese government banned Manichaeism in 843. Never theless, Manichaeism seems to have survived for several centuries in China as a secret society. It finally died out around 1500. Manichaeism was also the basis of medieval Christian “heresies” in Europe, like that of the Albigensians or Cathars (12th–13th centuries). mantra Sacred words or phrases in H INDU ISM and B UDDHISM . Originally mantras were state ments made during the SACRIFICES described in the sacred books known as the V EDA . As RITUAL words they had power over the universe. Over time the meaning of the word mantra expanded. It came to include any powerful word or phrase. Mantras may produce benefits in this world. They may also lead to liberation. In traditions of YOGA it is common to meditate on mantras. In the devotional traditions of BHAKTI mantras often com bine various names of G OD . A good example is the mantra that gives “Hare Krishnas” their nickname: “Hare K RISHNA Hare Krishna . . .” Buddhists use mantras in much the same way. Some Japanese followers of the Buddha A MIDA repeatedly say the nembutsu, a phrase that means “Praise the Buddha Amida,” to be reborn in Ami da’s Pure Land at death. A common mantra among Tibetan Buddhists reads Om mani padme hum, lit erally, “Om, the jewel in the lotus, hum.” Manu The first man in Hindu mythology. Most North Americans are familiar with the story of N OAH and the universal FLOOD . Manu figures in a similar story. Hindu mythology relates that, thanks to the help of V ISHNU in one of his AVATARS or appear ances on Earth, Manu survived the flood. He was the only human being who did so. When Manu set foot on dry land, he performed various RITUALS that produced a “daughter,” named Ida or Ila. With her he populated the Earth.

for 26, and executed him. These events, known as “the Passion,” took place around 276 C . E . M ISSIONARIES must always translate their visions of truth into terms that other people can understand. The same was true of Mani and his followers. In some places Manichaean beliefs appeared more Christian. In others, they appeared more Zoroastrian or Buddhist. In general, Mani taught that the world was made of two principles, light and darkness. These principles were not cre ated. They have existed from eternity. Mani also divided the history of the universe into three stages. in the past, light and darkness were sepa rate. Now, light and darkness are mixed together and battle one another. In the future, they will again be separated. Manichaeans help free light from darkness. Like the Buddhist SANGHA , the Manichaean community consisted of two classes. Manichaeans called them the elect and the hearers. The elect had several levels of leaders: a maximum of 360 stewards under the direction of a maximum of 72 deacons under a maximum of 12 APOSTLES led by a figure some call the Manichaean pope. Women could be members of the elect, but they could not hold any higher offices. Manichaean hearers performed several RITU ALS . They prayed four times a day. They fasted on Sundays and for a month prior to the major festival (celebrated at the spring equinox). They confessed their SINS . They tithed; that is, they gave a tenth of their earnings to the elect. They also renounced violence. The Manichaean elect abstained from vio lence, sex, and impure food, including all meat. They were always to tell the truth; they also had no possessions. The ideal life for the elect was one of wandering. With time, however, Manichaeism, like B UDDHISM , developed monastic institutions at specific places. Manichaeans believed that when the elect ate the food that the hearers gave them, they purified it, releasing particles of light. Christian, Muslim, and Zoroastrian rulers all vigorously persecuted Manichaeism. For example, in 527 the Roman Empire, which was Christian, made it a crime punishable by death to be a Man