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Prophet Mani taught that salvation could be achieved through veganism, fasting, education, self-denial, and chastity. He saw the consumption of flesh as Adam and Eve’s first significant sin. Prophet Mani maintained that in order for humanity to be redeemed, one must fast and abstain from eating meat. His followers were divided into two groups: the Elect and the Hearers. The Elect were perfect in the five precepts and lived by the “three seals,” which were control of speech, action, and thought or feeling, expressed through vegan harmlessness and truth, self-control, and chastity. Meanwhile, the Hearers also followed Prophet Mani’s teachings and supported the Elected, but they were not required to abide by the “three seals.” After 18 years of sharing His teachings in foreign lands, Prophet Mani was able to return to the Persian Empire. By this time, Prophet Mani’s following had grown substantially, and He was welcomed by the Persian King Shapur I as well as his successor, King Hormizd I. During these rulers’ reign, Prophet Mani was permitted to freely preach throughout the Kingdom. Unfortunately, after the Persian King Hormizd I passed away, Prophet Mani was prosecuted and detained under false accusations, where he sadly passed away after 26 days of trial. In Persia, Prophet Mani’s followers were also persecuted. Manichaeism, however, thrived outside of Persia for centuries. Prophet Mani was an artist, and His written work was expressed in poetry. During His life, the Prophet wrote seven sacred books. These include the “Fundamental Epistle,” a sacred writing of Manichaeism, and the “Living Gospel,” a Gnostic gospel that was one of the seven original scriptures of the Manichean religion. Now, it is our pleasure to play a fragment of hymns and writings ascribed to Prophet Mani, entitled “The Opening Words of the Living Gospel.” “The most Beloved Son, the Savior Jesus, the head of all these gifts, Who is a refuge for the holy and a blessing for the wise, is exalted. He (Mani) teaches the word of the Living Gospel for Eye and Ear, And He preaches the fruit of righteousness. I, Mani, the Apostle of Jesus the Friend, by the will of the Father, the true God, of Him, by whom I have become ... Everything that is and everything that was and will be is by His Power.” Prophet Mani was indeed a Messenger of Light who was dedicated and determined to help liberate humanity from a world of darkness. He bravely shared His wise teachings, imparting principles of moral integrity and compassion towards all living beings, be they human, animal, or plant species.
