Ji Gong | |
|---|---|
濟公 | |
 A reclining statue of Ji Gong atHupao Spring, his burial place | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Li Xiuyuan (1130-12-22)22 December 1130 |
| Died | 16 May 1209(1209-05-16) (aged 78) |
| Home town | Tiantai County,Taizhou,Liangzhe,Southern Song |
| Parents |
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| Other names | Chan Master Daoji |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Chan Buddhism |
| Temple | Lingyin Temple |
| Monastic name | Daoji |
| Senior posting | |
| Teacher | Huiyuan |
| Period in office | Southern Song |
| Ji Gong | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 濟公 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Chan Master Daoji | |||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 道濟禪師 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Li Xiuyuan | |||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 李修緣 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Daoji (Chinese:道濟, 22 December 1130 – 16 May 1209, born Li Xiuyuan), popularly known asJigong (Chinese:濟公), was aChanBuddhist monk who lived in theSouthern Song. He purportedly possessed supernatural powers through Buddhist practice, which he used to help the poor and stand up to injustice. However, he was also known for his wild and eccentric behavior and did not follow Buddhist monastic rules by consuming alcohol and meat. By the time of his death, Daoji had become a legend in Chinese culture and a deity inChinese folk religion. He is mentioned by Buddhists in folktales andgong'an, and sometimes invoked by oracles to assist in worldly affairs.
Originally named Li Xiuyuan, Jigong (濟公) was born to a former military advisor Li Maochun and his wife Lady Wang in 1130 CE (other accounts say 1148). After the death of his parents at the age of 18, Li was sent toHangzhou and was ordained as a monk inLingyin Temple, a temple of the Chan (Zen) school. He was mentored by the Vinaya masterHuiyuan and was given the monastic nameDaoji (道濟, which could be interpreted as "Helper on the Way"). Unlike traditional Buddhist monks, Daoji did not like following traditional monastic codes. He had a penchant for openly eating meat and drinking wine; his robes were often tattered and dirty from traveling from place to place, and he stumbled clumsily as walked from intoxication. However, Daoji was kindhearted and was always ready to lend a helping hand to ordinary people. He would often treat the sick and fight against injustice. The monks, bewildered and fed up with his behavior, expelled Daoji from the monastery. From then on, Daoji roamed the streets and helped people whenever he could.
According to legend, while cultivating Buddhist practices, Daoji attained supernatural powers. Many who noticed his eccentric yet benevolent and compassionate nature began to think that he was the emanation of abodhisattva, or the incarnation of anarhat. He was widely recognized by people as the incarnation of theDragon Subduing Arhat (降龍羅漢,Xiánglóng Luóhàn), one of theEighteen Arhats. Later he became known as Jigong (济公, "the Honorable Helper"), a title of respect derived from his monastic name, Daoji (道济).
Toward the end of his life, he stayed atJingci Temple, and passed away on the 14th day of the 5th lunar month (May 16th, 1209), around the age of 79 (or 61 according to other chronicles). LatersyncreticTaoism began to revere Jigong as a deity. Not long after that, Chinese Buddhist institutions began to recognize his compassionate efforts, and was incorporated into Chinese Buddhism. He is also featured as an interlocutor in many classicgong'an of the Chan (Zen) school.
Since at least the 1869s, mediums in China have claimed to receive texts from Jigong throughspirit writing, later calledFuji (扶乩;扶箕;fújī). These messages led to a further development of Jigong worship, which was actively promoted by the monk Falun (法輪) at Hupao Temple (虎跑寺;Hǔpǎo Sì) inHangzhou, where Jigong’s grave is located. The channeled messages gradually acquired a moralistic tone, recommending charitable activities. Jigong’s messages received through 'spirit writing' played a role in the establishment of the Benevolent Relief Society (救濟善會;Jiùjì Shànhuì), whose leaders later participated in the foundation of theRed Cross Society of China.[1]
A new Buddhist movement, theHong Kong-based Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association (東井圓佛會;Dōngjǐng Yuánfú Huì), worship Jigong.[2]Yiguandao has also adopted him into their pantheon of deities, citingZhang Tianran, contemporary founder of the Yiguandao, as his reincarnation.
Jigong can usually be seen smiling in tattered monastic robes andoversized bead necklaces. He usually carries a bottle of wine in his right hand, and a fan in his left hand. He wears a hat with the Chinese characterFo (佛), meaning "Buddha". He can also be seen holding his shoes in his right hand. Because of his carefree nature, he is rarely ever shown with a serious facial expression.
Jigong has been portrayed by numerous actors in films and television series from as early as 1939.
Chinese novelJigong Quan Zhuang (濟公全傳) by Guo Xiaoting (郭小亭).Adventures of the Mad Monk Jigong: The Drunken Wisdom of China's Most Famous Chan Buddhist Monk, Guo Xiaoting; John Robert Shaw trs., Tuttle Publishing, 2014.
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