The Buddha in Manichaeism

In Manichaeism, the Buddha (喬達摩悉達多) is considered one of the four prophets of the faith, along with Zoroaster, Jesus and Mani. Mani believed that the teachings of the Buddha, Zoroaster, and Jesus were incomplete, and that his revelations were for the entire world, calling his teachings the "Religion of Light".

Manichaeism also often calls Jesus a Buddha. This is because the term prophet was unfamiliar to a Chinese audience so Buddha was used as a substitute. It does not imply a belief in enlightenment.

Manichaeism was introduced into China during the Tang dynasty through Central Asian communities and was regarded as an improper form of Buddhism by the Tang authorities.