Bogu Qaghan's Conversion To Manichaeism
The Uyghur Empire’s ruler where the sun rarely blessed
Travelled to the Northern bank of the Luo in contemplation
And stayed in a tomb for three days after battling Yan
Thus, four angels of the Faith of Mani appeared in the dark cave
The first Manichaean came into the world from the North
He was named Ruixi for he was a teacher to many hearers
The second Manichaean came to the world from the South
He was named Ardashir for he was fearless in death’s painful mist
The third Manichaean came into the world from the East
He was named Daishin for he knew the boundless cosmos veiled from most
The fourth Manichaean came into the world from the West
He was named Theodore for he was a holy gift from the Light
Bögü Qaghan ordered them: “Tell me what this Mani did
Proclaim your faith in no uncertain terms or in doubtful sayings
That I may either accept or do away with your faith
Now tell me, who was this Persian man named Mani?” Ruixi announced:
“Mani proclaimed through his statues of ink and papyrus
As a skilled craftsman of words, he made every statue by himself
Chiselled into perfect beauty for all to admire
Thus, his statues for all exist that no prophet before could make"
The next day the king said “I have read some psalms you gave me
I can tell this Mani was of great wit and superb eloquence
Not even the virgins of the Selenga River match
Now tell me, what makes this poet shine in truth?” Ardashir announced:
“Manichaeus proclaimed that there are two suns in battle
The benevolent Sun of Light and the Serpent Sun of Darkness
The Sun of Light is not all-powerful in this dark world
Thus, solving the problem of evil and pain that all have pondered”
The next day, after he pondered these things into his marrow
He requested: “As a farmer in his farm, I have seen the pain
Of men and women, slaves and free, animals and plants
Now tell me, what did the sage say about man’s faiths” Daishin announced:
“The Buddha of Light proclaimed unity across all faiths
As God would send light to all the cosmos as the all-loving sun
The Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, and others’ teachings
Thus, are welcomed and unified in this world all live in”
In the same day, seeing the sun’s shining rays, he proclaimed
“Never before have I heard such a faith that welcomes foreigners
Like the Orkhon Valley that welcomes and unified all
Now tell me, in your mercy, the fruit he grew?” Theodore announced:
“The Apostle of Jesus Christ proclaimed love for all life
Including to all clothed in flesh and all who eat physical light
Following the commandment of Jesus to its fullness
Thus, the Prophet Mani is a good tree since he gives the sweet fruit”
The sun’s rays pierced into the king’s very own marrow
Too many words were spoken to write, even if the seas were ink
All five went to his capital, and he announced “Thank you”
Thus, Bögü Qaghan became the Blessed by Sun God, sovereign and wise
Copyright © David Hyatt-Bickle | Year Posted 2022
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