China: Image of the prophet Mani as Mani Guang ('Buddha of Light'), Cao'an Temple, Jinjiang, Fujian Province, 1339

Cao'an is a temple in Jinjiang, Fujian. Originally constructed by Chinese Manicheans, it was viewed by later worshipers as a Buddhist temple. This 'Manichean temple in Buddhist disguise' is considered the only extant Manichean temple in China.

The most remarkable Manichaean relic in the temple is the statue of Manichaeism's founder Mani, commonly referred to in the Chinese Manichaean tradition as the 'Buddha of Light'. According to an inscription, the statue was donated to the temple by a local adherent in 1339.

Instead of being curly-haired and clean-shaven, as most other Buddha statues, this Buddha of Light is depicted having straight hair draped over his shoulders, and sporting a beard. The facial features of the prophet (arched eyebrows, fleshy jowls) are somewhat different from a traditional Chinese stone Buddha as well.

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