Silk Road Manichaeanism, spreading c. 7th–10th centuries CE from Persia to China, emphasized ziwaneh sparks, preserved in texts like the Kephalaia. Parsee fire kindling/leaping purified trapped light, respecting its state. Its unique adaptation to diverse cultures sustained Manichaean resilience.

The Denewar Cult, a Central Asian Manichaean sect (c. 8th–9th centuries CE), focused on meditation to awaken humanity, linked to Sogdian communities. Manichaean incense rituals aided Yeshu’s revelation to Adam, fostering inner light. Their distinctive meditative emphasis refined Manichaean practice.

The White Lotus Sect, emerging c. 12th century CE in Song Dynasty China, blended Manichaeanism with Buddhism and Taoism, advocating elect virtues. Parsee fire ash and confessions guided humanity via Light Mind, integrating asceticism with activism. Its unique syncretism shaped Chinese millenarianism.
 

Seal of the Hand: Feast for Wisdom
- Basis: Lesser Hymns on wise acts (Hymns of the Lower Section, “Light of Aeons”). Virtue: Wisdom (seek gnosis). Vow: Truthfulness (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, prepare a vegan feast on an altar with an oil lamp, invoking Maiden of Light: “Maiden of Light, bless this feast to free the Cross of Light.” Share fruits as alms, reciting: “Wisdom separates Light from Darkness.” Visualize Light in the scroll’s radiant aeons, free from ignorance. Light the lamp, vowing: “I seek gnosis to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Circle hands, touch heart, and bow, affirming virtue.

Seal of the Hand: Seed Planting for Truth
- Basis: Psalm-Book 130 on truthful acts. Virtue: Truth (teach wisdom). Vow: Avoid lying (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, plant seeds near an altar with a sun image, invoking Zurvan: “Zurvan, bless these seeds to free the Cross of Light.” Dig mindfully, reciting: “Truth liberates the Five Buddhas.” Visualize Light in the scroll’s radiant throne, free from deceit. Pour water, vowing: “I teach wisdom to return to the Light Land, pure and virtuous.” Place a plant sprig on the altar, stand, and bow, grateful for Mani.

Seal of the Hand: Mindful Walk for Compassion
- Basis: Kephalaia 92 on compassionate acts. Virtue: Compassion (forgive faults). Vow: Uphold faith (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, walk mindfully, holding fresh herbs, invoking Mother of Life: “Mother of Life, guide my compassion to free the Cross of Light.” Recite: “Compassion separates Light from Darkness.” Avoid insects, visualizing forgiveness in the scroll’s radiant aeons. Vow: “I forgive faults to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Place herbs on an altar with an oil lamp, bow, and affirm virtue.

Seal of the Hand: Seed Tending for Purity
- Basis: Xiabu Zan on pure acts. Virtue: Purity (honor elements). Vow: Purity in consumption (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, tend a seed near an altar with a star image, invoking Zurvan: “Zurvan, purify my touch to free the Cross of Light.” Pour water, reciting: “Purity liberates the Five Buddhas.” Visualize Light in the scroll’s radiant flow, free from contamination. Vow: “I honor elements to return to the Light Land, virtuous and pure.” Place a plant sprig on the altar, stand, and bow, expressing gratitude for Mani.

Seal of the Hand: Alms for Service
- Basis: Lesser Hymns on serving Light. Virtue: Service (teach Hearers). Vow: Avoid deceit (Hearers).

Seal of the Mouth: Beads for Impure Intentions
- Basis: Lesser Hymns on truthful speech (Hymns of the Lower Section, “Light of Aeons”). Confession: Impure intentions. Virtue: Truth (teach wisdom). Vow: Truthfulness (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, hold mala beads before an altar with a sun image, invoking Maiden of Light: “Maiden of Light, purify my speech to free the Cross of Light.” Confess: “I repent for impure intentions.” Move beads, reciting between breaths: “Truth liberates the Cross of Light.” Visualize pure words in the scroll’s radiant aeons, Light ascending. Sip tea, vowing: “I teach wisdom to return to the Light Land, virtuous and pure.” Eat a fruit, touch lips, and bow, grateful for Mani.

Seal of the Mouth: Sip for Neglecting Repentance
- Basis: Psalm-Book 130 on faithful speech. Confession: Neglecting repentance. Virtue: Faith (trust Mani). Vow: Uphold faith (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, sip tea from a cup before an altar with a star image, invoking Zurvan: “Zurvan, lift my speech to free the Cross of Light.” Confess: “I repent for neglecting repentance.” Recite: “Faith separates Light from Darkness.” Visualize faithful words in the scroll’s radiant throne, Light ascending. Eat a grape, vowing: “I trust Mani to return to the Light Land, pure and virtuous.” Touch lips, bow, and affirm gratitude for Mani.

Seal of the Mouth: Chant for Speaking During Meals
- Basis: Kephalaia 85 on humble speech. Confession: Speaking during meals. Virtue: Humility (accept correction). Vow: Avoid hypocrisy (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, chant before an altar with an oil lamp: “Mother of Life, humble my speech to free the Cross of Light,” confessing: “I repent for speaking during meals.” Visualize humility in the scroll’s radiant flow, reciting: “Humility liberates the Five Buddhas.” Sip tea, eat a vegan whole food, vowing: “I accept correction to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Light the lamp, touch lips, and bow, committing to virtue.

Seal of the Mouth: Sip for Harming Plants
- Basis: Xiabu Zan on pure speech. Confession: Harming plants (speech). Virtue: Purity (honor elements). Vow: Purity in consumption (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, sip tea from a cup before an altar with a moon image, invoking Zurvan: “Zurvan, purify my speech to free the Cross of Light.” Confess: “I repent for harming plants.” Recite: “Purity separates Light from Darkness.” Visualize pure words in the scroll’s radiant aeons, Light ascending. Eat a fruit, vowing: “I honor elements with vegan foods to return to the Light Land, virtuous and pure.” Touch lips, bow, and affirm gratitude for Mani.

Seal of the Mouth: Chant for Idle Speech
- Basis: Lesser Hymns on devoted speech. Confession: Idle speech. Virtue: Devotion (offer praise). Vow: Uphold faith (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, chant before an altar with an oil lamp: “Mother of Life, guide my praise to free the Cross of Light,” confessing: “I repent for idle speech.” Visualize devoted words in the scroll’s radiant flow, reciting: “Devotion liberates the Cross of Light.” Sip tea, vowing: “I offer praise to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Eat a vegan whole food, light the lamp, touch lips, and bow, affirming virtue.

Seal of the Breast: Vision of Maiden’s Light
- Basis: Lesser Hymns on radiant aeons (Hymns of the Lower Section, “Light of Aeons”). Virtue: Devotion (meditate on aeons). Vow: Uphold faith (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, light an oil lamp on an altar with a sun image, invoking Maiden of Light: “Maiden of Light, shine in my mind to free the Cross of Light.” Visualize radiant aeons in the scroll’s cosmic diagram, reciting: “Devotion separates Light from Darkness.” Vow: “I meditate on aeons to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Offer vegan fruit on the altar, touch heart, and bow, committing to virtue.

Seal of the Breast: Healing with Light Mind
- Basis: Xiabu Zan on Mani as healer (Psalm-Book 142). Virtue: Service (aid Hearers). Vow: Uphold faith (Hearers).
- Exercise: At dawn, visualize Light Mind guiding herb selection before an altar with a star image, invoking Light Mind: “Light Mind, inspire my healing to free the Cross of Light.” Recite: “Service liberates the Five Buddhas.” Visualize healing Light in the scroll’s radiant flow, ascending heavenward. Vow: “I aid Hearers to return to the Light Land, pure and virtuous.” Offer a plant sprig on the altar, touch heart, and bow, grateful for Mani.

Seal of the Breast: Vision for Truth
- Basis: Kephalaia 85 on truthful thoughts. Virtue: Truth (uphold honesty). Vow: Truthfulness (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, visualize radiant truth before an altar with a moon image, invoking Zurvan: “Zurvan, guide my heart to free the Cross of Light.” Recite: “Truth separates Light from Darkness.” Visualize honesty in the scroll’s radiant aeons, Light ascending. Vow: “I uphold honesty to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Offer vegan bread on the altar, touch heart, and bow, affirming virtue.

Seal of the Breast: Yimka Fast for Wisdom
- Basis: Psalm-Book 130 on wise thoughts. Virtue: Wisdom (seek gnosis). Vow: Truthfulness (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, during a Yimka fast, kneel before an altar with an oil lamp, invoking Light Mind: “Light Mind, guide my gnosis to free the Cross of Light.” Visualize a radiant spark in the scroll’s cosmic flow, reciting: “Wisdom liberates the Cross of Light.” Vow: “I seek gnosis to return to the Light Land, pure and virtuous.” Offer a plant sprig on the altar, light the lamp, touch heart, and bow, expressing gratitude for Mani.

Seal of the Breast: Yimka Fast for Purity
- Basis: Lesser Hymns on pure thoughts. Virtue: Purity (honor elements). Vow: Purity in consumption (Elect).
- Exercise: At dawn, during a Yimka fast, stand before an altar with a sun image, invoking Mother of Life: “Mother of Life, purify my thoughts to free the Cross of Light.” Visualize pure light in the scroll’s radiant aeons, reciting: “Purity separates Light from Darkness.” Vow: “I honor elements to return to the Light Land, grateful for Mani’s teachings.” Offer vegan fruit on the altar, touch heart, and bow, affirming virtue.