The Curious Tale of Monk Ji Gong
Monk Ji Gong – H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
One of the pieces in IAMA’s collection that I couldn’t help but to notice was H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Ji Gong Huo Fo (Monk Jigong). In this painting depicts an old man in tattered clothes with a bottle almost to his lips. By those descriptors, it already sounds like depressing commentary on poverty, lack of elder care, and alcoholism. However, the person in the painting has a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and a body in full swing of movement. He is elderly, but his rippling muscles shows no weakness. His interesting body position looks like he may be jumping, dancing, running, or walking in an exaggerated way. There is a story behind this painting that delves into Chinese history and mystical legend.
The figure in the painting is based on an extremely popular figure in Chinese culture. His character has been the hero in many stories, paintings, plays, movies, and television shows. He has been known as The Legendary Monk with a Magical Fan, Ji Gong Living Buddha, The Mad Monk, The Drunk Monk, and plainly Crazy Ji. The man himself was born early in the Song Dynasty to wealthy parents who named him Li Xuiyuan.
Photo by Rich J Matheson
Before he was born, Ji Gong’s parents were told by a respected Feng Shui consultant that they physically couldn’t have any children. Distraught, they went on pilgrimage to various temples to pray for a child. In the hall of the 500 Arhats in a particular Buddhist temple, the statue of Mahakasyapa fell from the altar. People took the incident as that the spirit energy in the statue left. Shortly after, Ji Gong’s mother discovered that she was pregnant. Feeling that their prayers have been answered, the happy couple recalled the scene at the temple. If the spirit of Mahakasyapa left, they reasoned, perhaps the spirit relocated in the woman’s womb to be reincarnated!
When he was still young, Ji Gong found interest in reading Buddhist scripture. By the time he was 18, he decided to become a monk at Lingyin Temple. This temple today is home to a hall of murals depicting Ji Gong’s life story. Being from a wealthy family, Ji Gong could not seem to totally fall into Buddhist tradition by becoming vegetarian and giving up alcohol. By constantly breaking those rules for several years and by his overall eccentric behavior, the monks grew tired of scolding Ji Gong and kicked him out.
“The Travels of Ji Gong” Chinese television series
Ji Gong did not return home, nor did he find a new monastery to adopt him until much later on in life. From then on he kept his robes and wandered the streets. It did not take long for him to look as homeless as he had become. People assumed he was a beggar, yet it is said he never asked strangers for money. Apart from being quite eccentric, he always seemed joyful, lively, and compassionate. He talked and listened to beggars and poor families, prayed for them, and fanned them a bit before moving on. After those pleasant exchanges people reported that different kinds of good luck that came their way. The word spread and gave him a reputation of being magical. From that they began calling him Ji Gong Living Buddha.
Until the day he passed away on June 17th, 1207 at the Jing Ci monastery, Monk Ji Gong traveled from village to village helping people and promoting goodwill and compassion with his actions. His legend lives on as fantastic tales passed on and retold by artists, writers, musicians, and actors of a magical, drunken monk who always saved the day.
By Audrey Fleury
Sources: http://buddhasaviorlife.blogspot.com/p/heros-of-history-jigong-chinas-buddhist.html
http://sanaakosirickylee.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/ji-gong-an-eccentric-buddhist-monk-that-became-a-taoist-wealth-god/
http://thetaiwanphotographer.com/taiwan-god-ji-gong-%E6%BF%9F%E5%85%AC-the-drunk-monk/
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/hangzhou/e/2012-01/27/content_14500581.htm
http://liefintaiwan.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/ji-gong%E9%81%93%E6%BF%9F%E7%A6%AA%E5%B8%AB-%E6%BF%9F%E5%85%ACthe-drunk-monka-bit-more/
http://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/learn/article/read/item/spCxp5EyZws
Images from:
IAMA, painted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Rich J Matheson – http://thetaiwanphotographer.com/taiwan-god-ji-gong-%E6%BF%9F%E5%85%AC-the-drunk-monk/
“The Travels of Ji Gong” T.V. series – http://waynedhamma.blogspot.com/2008/11/temples-in-guangzhou-haizhuang-si.html
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