Bogu Qaghan conversion to Manichaeism
In the Orkhon Valley, the Khan of the East arose from the distance. With four morning stars, he set foot in the royal yurt of gold. He placed the eternal diadem on his head. The Divine Khan put on the robe of scarlet, and rested upon his throne of splendorous gold. He recalled the depravity in the green fields, where blood flowed like the Orkhon River. Where the moon and sun weeped day and night, where their noble Elect, monks and nuns, dwelt in fear. Together with the Household of Light, he proclaimed to both lords and commoners, slaves and free, men and women, this decree: “All you call upon the Gods of Light, to save us from this barbarous night. The Elect who saved my soul from blight, entrusted me to be in your sight. So now, I on my ancestors’ throne, command this ancient land to atone. Whatever the Elect preach to you, you are to do. Whether to work for the benefit of the soul, or they urge you to work for the faith as a whole. Walk under the light of their wisdom, everywhere in the Uyghur kingdom. Honour, respect and serve the Elect, with a loving heart without neglect.” The Keeper of the Faith, with his diadem of authority, and his charisma from Heaven, continued on: “This path is subtle and wonderful, though it is hard to receive and follow in full. Twice and thrice I pondered this with sincerity. In my old life, I lacked clarity. I worshipped the demons as the Awakened One. In my new life, I bow down to the Timeless One. Now the morning light shines on my eyes. Now I no longer serve those idols with their lies.” And so, the Uyghurs accepted the morning light. They bowed to the Khan and rejoiced in scarlet light. The gods became their protectors and guardians. Angels protected the Kingdom’s grand defenders. The Kingdom enjoyed both kinds of life, both kinds of bliss with little strife. The Khan of the Faith dwelt in unceasing joy, even after the sunset of his royal life. In both the body below and the soul up high, the Khan was blessed by the sun from the sapphire sky.
On his golden throne
Dressed in robes of flaming red
He saw the morning
(Retelling of Bogu Qaghan's conversion to the Manichaean faith. Bogu Qaghan was the third khan of the Uyghur Khganate).
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