Manichaeism is a religion created by the prophet Mani, who lived from 216 to 276 AD Manichaeism was a religion very similar in its beliefs to Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Gnosticism. Mani preached that our life was a balance between spirit, matter, body and soul. Mani believed that humans were a byproduct of the constant battle between God and Satun. It was up to us to choose a side. Our choice of side would be based on the morals and ethics by which we have lived our lives. we lived our lives Mani preached a dualistic cosmology that demonstrated a constant battle between good and evil. This religion believed in reincarnation until you purified your choice to join the side of the gods. Once you achieve this, you will ascend into the light. The Manichaean religion was the main rival of Christianity from the 3rd to the 7th century. Manichaeism was one of the most rapidly spreading religions, spreading from the Roman Empire to China. Manichaeism was created by the prophet Mani. Mani was born into a religious sect called Elkesaiti, which was a mixture of Jewish and Christian beliefs. The Elkesaites practiced vegetarianism, circumcision, and the Sabbath. Around the year 228, when Mani was twelve years old, many wars took place to restore power to the Parthians. It was around this time that Mani received a visit from a “divine twin”. This divine twin told Mani that he did not belong to an impure community with false religious beliefs and many immoral wars. Mani remained in his community despite the advice of this divine twin and experienced many religions and many cultures as power over the land ebbed and flowed. Mani began to observe every single religion he saw or experienced...... middle of paper ......r, up to the holiest festival, the Bema Festival. This fast cleanses the soul from all the sins and evil that has been collected. Even the Elect must fast every Sunday and Monday. The second group of Manichaeans were called Hearers. The Hearers were not as strict as the Chosen, but they still had to follow a strict code of rules. The Hearers were similar to the Chosen in their rules, but had more exceptions. Hearers were allowed to eat, have sex, and reproduce children. The Auditors also had to fast in the month of January, on Sundays and Mondays. The last group of Manichaeans was much less severe. All the latter group had to do was believe in the gods and the ideas preached by Mani. This group made up the majority of the Manichean population and was crucial in the growth of the religion. This class reproduced itself and therefore transmitted religion to its descendants.