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Ji Gong

Chinese Buddhist monk (1130–1209)

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History

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 to Hangzhou and was ordained as a monk in Lingyin Temple, a temple of the Chan (Zen) school. He was mentored by the Vinaya master Huiyuan and was given the monastic name Daoji (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 he 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 a bodhisattva, or the incarnation of an arhat. He was widely recognized by people as the incarnation of the Dragon Subduing Arhat (降龍羅漢, Xiánglóng Luóhàn), one of the Eighteen 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 at Jingci Temple, and died on the 14th day of the 5th lunar month (May 16th, 1209), around the age of 79 (or 61 according to other chronicles). Later syncretic Taoism 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 classic gong'an of the Chan (Zen) school.

Since at least the 1869s, mediums in China have claimed to receive texts from Jigong through spirit writing, later called Fuji (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) in Hangzhou, 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 the Red Cross Society of China.

A new Buddhist movement, the Hong Kong-based Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association (東井圓佛會; Dōngjǐng Yuánfú Huì), worship Jigong. Yiguandao has also adopted him into their pantheon of deities, citing Zhang Tianran, contemporary founder of the Yiguandao, as his reincarnation.

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