Manichaeism

['mæniki:izəm]

Manichaeism (n.): 1550s, "the religion of the Manichees" (late 14c.) a Gnostic Christian sect named for its founder, Mani (Latin Manichæus), c.215-275, Syriac-speaking apostle from a Jesus cult in Mesopotamia in 240s, who taught a universal religion. Vegetarian and visionary, they saw "particles of light and goodness" trapped in evil matter and regarded Satan as co-eternal with God. The universe was a scene of struggle between good and evil. The sect was characterized by dualism and a double-standard of perfectionist "elects" and a larger group of fellow travelers who would require several reincarnations before their particles of light would be liberated.

1. Around the sixth century, Manichaeism reached Xinjiang from Persia through Central Asia.: 公元六世纪前后, 摩尼教由波斯经中亚传入新疆.

2. In the East, Manichaeism survived until the 13 th century.: 在东方, 摩尼教仍然保留着,直到十三世纪.

3. In Quanzhou Fujian Province , relics of ancient Manichaeism still can be seen.: 古时候, 受了墨刑的人一辈子也洗不掉脸上那犯罪的“痕迹”.

5. Since then, Manichaeism in china had lost the contact with the Central Asian region.: 此后, 传入中国的摩尼教与中亚地区的摩尼教团失去了联系.