Most of the original writings of the founding prophet Mani ( Syriac , , c. AD 210 â `` 276 ) have been lost , but many translations and fragmentary texts have survived . Although most of the original writings of the founding prophet Mani ( in Persian : Ù Ø Ù Û , Syriac : , Latin : Manichaeus or Manes ) ( c. 216 â `` 276 AD ) have been lost , numerous translations and fragmentary texts have survived .