Naz site -  Site dedicated to Nazoreans
Forum- Nazorean Forum

Scholars and herisiologists sometimes stress the fact that the ancient Manichaean Electi, the monastics, were forbidden to personally cultivate or harvest food out of fear of harming this Light Cross. Manichaeans, however, devoted great effort to growing their own food and the Electi were intricately involved in this process via their Hearers whom they were karmically connected with. It was once the duty of the more numerous "hearers" to do the actual farm labour, while the Electi were called to concentrate on the production of scriptures and sermons. This arrangement allowed the few Electi more time to produce more written copies of sacred scripture.  One scholar has said:

"The high quality of execution of both the miniatures and the calligraphy of the Manichaean texts attests to an active scribal tradition in Turfan and this finds expression in what can only be termed a group-self-portrait of Manichaean Electi performing scribal duties. Seated in two rows in front of two Trees of Life, they are shown to be engaged in their craft with intense expressions. Two of the figures hold a pen in each hand - one perhaps for copying in black ink and the other for red as many of the extant Manichaean text fragments are two-toned. As Manichaeism was a religion of the book, the Manichaeans took their scribal duties very seriously. A monk is required in a Sogdian confessional to ask for forgiveness for having neglected his calligraphy, for hating or despising it and for having damaged or injured a brush, a writing board, a piece of silk or' paper." - Manichaeism In Central Asia and China by Samuel Lieu

• 10,666 lbs  of wheat
• 933 lbs of sesame
• 266 lbs of beans
• 400 lbs millet
• 1800 melons were divided equally between the main monastery and the chapter house from the monastery lands of “the three Odos”.