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Order of Nazorean Essenes

Twelve Forms of Beneficent Light
Manichaean Virtues of the Elect From the Ts'an-ching
 

1. AUTHORITY

a. recognizes transience

b. remits alms received to the assembly

c. remains chaste; encourages others to chastity

d. sticks close to wise masters; avoids foolish ones

e. does not seek isolation; lives among the adepts
 
 

2. WISDOM

a. praises, loves, and lives among the adepts

b. is not jealous of greater wisdom in another

c. is ardent and energetic in conduct and study

d. constantly studies the rules; encourages others to do so

e. is careful not to violate precepts; confesses immediately when does
 
 

3. VICTORY

a. is not slanderous, flattering, or cruel; avoids those who are

b. does not quarrel or grumble; avoids those who do

c. does not flaunt victory over an opponent

d. speaks only when questioned, after careful reflection

e. speaks with conciliation, not contrariness
 
 

4. JOY

a. adheres closely to the precepts and rules

b. takes only one vestment per year and only one meal per day

c. studies only one's own faith, not other faiths

d. is humble, not hateful, toward superiors

e. does not try to outshine superiors; does not consider oneself superior to inferiors
 
 

5. ZEAL

a. does not like to sleep

b. constantly reads and recites, gives attention to teachers; excites zeal in others

c. constantly explains and comments upon the law of purity

d. recites, copies, and mentally repeats the hymns

e. keeps the precepts firmly

6. TRUTH

a. conforms oneself to correct teaching; gives true explication of it

b. always thinks in accord with truth, not in accommodation to the world

c. acts always in accord with truth, whether publicly or privately

d. does not doubt one's masters

e. guides and encourages one's colleagues

7.  FAITH

a. believes and does not doubt the two principles

b. is resolved toward the precepts and rules

c. does not add or subtract a word from scriptures

d. empathizes with another's joy and torment

e. does not report faults or spread bad reports
 
 

8.  PATIENCE

a. one's heart is constantly benevolent, never angry

b. is always joyous, never irritated

c. one's heart is always without hatred

d. one's heart is never violent; one's speech is neither coarse nor nasty

e. endures all torments with joy and without hatred
 
 

9.  UPRIGHT THOUGHT

a. is always joyous in upright and pure thought, and not bound by torments

b. welcomes all questions with respect, and responds with joy

c. does not defend one's own errors in discussion, or nurture discontent

d. one's speech and action is in accord; does not search for faults in others

e. avoids those of heterodox ideas

10. MERITORIOUS ACTION

a. does not speak harmfully; employs appropriate means of instruction

b. always speaks amiably; does not make calumnies, or harbor hate

c. is jealous of neither the great nor the humble

d. does not assemble a crowd of followers, but privately instructs disciples; stays in a pure habitation, not a sumptuous place

e. is always instructing and inducing others to practice
 
 

11. UNIFORMITY OF HEART

a. conforms completely to instructions on skillful  means and rules; does not change any precept or follow one's own opinions

b. lives with the community, not separately

c. is in harmony with others; collaborates in the alms work

d. receives the offerings of the Auditors, and praises them

e. avoids excitement, quarrels, etc.; protects one's combined natures
 
 

12. PERVASIVE LIGHT

a. excels in expelling pollution from the heart; does not tolerate covetousness; concupiscence; is unmoved by women's sensuality

b. avoids partiality toward certain Auditors; does not become attached to particular homes or families; is not stirred up by secular events

c. does not indulge the body in fine vestments, bedding, food and drink, drugs and remedies, birds and horses, carts and mounts

d. constantly meditates on death and impermanence and is personally affable and calm
 


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