Jinjiang Caoan Manichaean Relics Park Travel Guide

Scenic spot introduction:

The Jinjiang Cao'an Manichaean ruins are the best existing Manichaean ruins in the world. They are located at the foothills of Huabiao Mountain (also known as Wanshi Mountain) in Sunei Village, Luoshan Township, Jinjiang, 19 kilometers away from the south gate of Quanzhou City. Because the building was first built in the Song Dynasty , named after it was originally built with grass. There is a circular Buddhist niche carved into the cliff inside the nunnery. The Mani-Guang Buddha statue in the niche is the only complete Mani Buddha stone statue left in China and the only Mani statue in the world. The discovery of the Cao'an stone carvings is of great significance for studying the appearance, development and spread of Manichaeism in China.

Attractions distribution:

Manichaeism, also known as Mingjiao, was founded by the Persian Mani in the third century AD. Mani (216-276 AD) was born in a Parthian royal family in southern Babylon. He based his faith on Zoroastrianism and absorbed Christianity, Buddhism and ancient Babylonian religions. thought, founded Manichaeism. Its religion was introduced to Quanzhou in the Tang Dynasty and was called Mingjiao. It worshiped light, advocated purity, and opposed darkness and oppression. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, relied on Mingjiao to seize power and adopted the "Ming" name of Mingjiao to determine the country's name. However, he was worried that Mingjiao would threaten his rule. That is to say, he "also suspected that the Mingjiao would force the country's name on his sect, punish his disciples, and destroy his palace." , so Mingjiao, which was very prosperous in the early Ming Dynasty, turned to secret activities and merged with the folk worship of Taoism and Buddhism. The existing Cao'an Manichaean ruins in Jinjiang are buildings from the Yuan Dynasty. According to archaeological discoveries, Manichaeism was already active here in the Song Dynasty and was banned in the Ming Dynasty. The villagers here still worship Buddhism, so the stone carvings of the buildings are well preserved.

Scenic spot features:

Cultural tourism, historical tourism, Maritime Silk Road, temples, ancient buildings