The Foundation of Light
To recite when standing before the Sun or Moon, or facing North if neither are visible
I believe in the Two Eternal Principles, Light and Darkness, Spirit and Matter. I affirm the teachings of the Prophet Mani, our Illuminator, who showed us the path of redemption through Gnosis. I recognize the World of Light, ruled by the Father of Greatness, as the ultimate source of all goodness, truth and beauty.
I believe in aforementioned dualism and in the truth that the Two Principles currently exist in an unnatural state of mixture manifested as the world we live in.
I believe in the Three Times: The Time before Mixture, The Present Time of Mixture, and The Future Time in which the Light and Darkness will once more be separate.
I believe that it is the goal of true religion to assist in the bringing about the end time when the Principles will once more be separate from one another and the Light restored to its original home in the Realm of Light.
I believe that the Prophet Mani is the seal of the prophets, and the Religion he founded, the Religion of Light, is the final Religion and the one best suited to accomplish the restoration of Light.
I recognize our universe as a battlefield, where Light and Darkness wage their eternal war. The World of Light, our spiritual home, is beleaguered by the Prince of Darkness, resulting in an entanglement of light particles within the constraining material world. This primal tragedy gave rise to mankind and our earthly existence.
I acknowledge the ongoing cosmic conflict, detailing the entrapment of particles of Light within the Darkness of materiality, induced by the machinations of the Prince of Darkness. I understand humanity as the primary venue for this struggle, every individual containing both Light and Dark elements.
Through this understanding, we recognize that the divine Light within us yearns to return to its source, and it is through the teachings of Mani that we find the path to liberation from the shackles of material existence.
The history of existence unfolds across three great epochs, each marking a distinct phase in the relationship between Light and Darkness:
The Time when Light and Darkness existed in perfect separation. The Father of Greatness ruled the World of Light in peace, while the Prince of Darkness dwelt in his own realm. All was in its proper place.
The Current Time we inhabit, where Light and Darkness exist in unnatural mixture. The world we know is the battlefield where divine Light struggles within material Darkness. Humanity exists as the vessel of this cosmic conflict.
The Time to come when Light will be freed from Darkness. The Prince of Darkness will be bound, the universe will burn with purifying fire, and all Light will return to the Realm of Light, restored to eternal glory.
Our sacred duty is to aid in bringing about the Third Time - to assist in the liberation of Light from its material prison and hasten the day when all will be restored to its rightful place.
These sacred commandments guide the faithful in their journey toward the Light:
You shall not worship false Gods or idols, nor obey false prophets and the teachings of falsity. Turn away from all that would lead you from the true Light.
Monitor the purity of the mouth by refraining from blasphemy, lying, perjury, false witness, and slander. Always stand up for the innocent and speak truth in all matters.
Come to the aid of the afflicted and refrain from all displays of greed. Love your fellow Hearers as your own family, for you are all children of the Living Family and the World of Light.
Avoid using your hands to frighten, injure, beat, torture, or kill not only human beings but also animals, birds, fish, reptiles, insects, and bees. Let not your fingers cause suffering to the Living Self. You may eat flesh that is already dead or slaughtered, but take no life yourself.
Remain faithful to the one you have taken in marriage. Refrain from all sexual relations during fasting days. Polygamy is condemned on the same ground as adultery.
Take care not to commit theft or fraud. Respect the possessions of others and deal honestly in all your transactions.
Abstain from all inappropriate speech, especially that which is irreverent toward the prophets and God. Let your words honor the sacred at all times.
Take care not to obey false prophets and impostors. Let not biases from previous faiths mislead you about the true teachings of God and the Paraclete Mani.
Do your best to be productive and assist in the betterment of Humanity, the Church, and God. Let not laziness keep you from your sacred duties.
Refrain from all magical practices, forswearing the fabrication of charms, potions, and evil spells. This particularly applies to black magic and rituals intended to harm any living thing. Animal sacrifice for magical purposes is strictly prohibited.