Ji Gong

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the television series, see Ji Gong (TV series).
"Jigong" redirects here. For the mountain, see Mount Jigong.
Ji Gong
濟公
Southern Song
Ji Gong
Hanyu Pinyin
Lǐ Xiūyuán
Hakka
Pha̍k-fa-sṳLí-Siû-Yèn
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingLei5 Sau1-jyun4
Southern Min
Hokkien POJLí-Siu-Iân

Daoji (

kōans
, and sometimes invoked by oracles to assist in worldly affairs.

History

Originally named Li Xiuyuan, Jìgōng (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

Huiyuan
and was given the monastic name Dàojì (道濟, which could be interpreted as "Helper on the Way"). Unlike traditional Buddhist monks, Dàojì 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, Dàojì 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 Dàojì from the monastery. From then on, Dàojì roamed the streets and helped people whenever he could.

According to legend, while cultivating Buddhist practices, Dàojì 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 Jìgōng (济公, "the Honorable Helper"), a title of respect derived from his monastic name, Dàojì (道济).

Toward the end of his life, he stayed at

kōans
of the Chán (Zen) school.

Since at least the 1869s, mediums in China have claimed to receive texts from Jìgōng through

spirit writing, later called Fuji (扶乩/扶箕 fújī). These messages led to a further development of Jìgōng worship, which was actively promoted by the monk Fǎlún (法輪) at Hupao Temple (虎跑寺, Hǔpǎo Sì) in Hangzhou, where Jìgōng’s grave is located. The channeled messages gradually acquired a moralistic tone, recommending charitable activities. Jìgōng’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.[1]

A new Buddhist movement, the Hong Kong-based Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association (Chinese: 東井圓佛會; pinyin: Dōngjǐng Yuánfú Huì), worship Jìgōng.[2] Yiguandao has also adopted him into their pantheon of deities, citing Zhang Tianran, contemporary founder of the Yiguandao, as his reincarnation.

Depiction

Ji Gong can usually be seen smiling in tattered monastic robes and oversized 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 character Fo (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.

In popular culture

Ji Gong has been portrayed by numerous actors in films and television series from as early as 1939.

Books

Chinese novel Ji Gong Quan Zhuang (濟公全傳) by Guo Xiaoting (郭小亭). Adventures of the Mad Monk Ji Gong: The Drunken Wisdom of China's Most Famous Chan Buddhist Monk, Guo Xiaoting; John Robert Shaw trs., Tuttle Publishing, 2014.

Films

  • The Living Buddha (濟公活佛), a 1939 Hong Kong film starring Yee Chau-sui.
  • Ji Gong, Reincarnated Buddha (濟公活佛), 1949 Hong Kong film starring Yee Chau-sui.
  • How the Monk Chai Kung Thrice Insulted Wah Wan-Lung (濟公三氣華雲龍), a 1950 Hong Kong film starring Yee Chau-sui.
  • The Mischievous Magic Monk (濟公傳), a 1954 Hong Kong film starring Hung Boh.
  • A New Tale of the Monk Jigong (A New Tale of the Monk Jigong), a 1954 Hong Kong film starring Leung Sing-bo.
  • Ji Gong Sets the Fire on the Impenetrable Pi-pa Spirit (濟公火燒琵琶精), a 1958 Hong Kong film starring Leung Sing-bo.
  • Ji Gong, the Living Buddha (濟公活佛), a 1964 Hong Kong film starring Sun Ma Sze Tsang.
  • A Modern Ji Gong (摩登濟公), a 1965 Hong Kong film starring Sun Ma Sze Tsang.
  • Ji Gong Raids the Courtroom (濟公大鬧公堂), a 1965 Hong Kong film starring Sun Ma Sze Tsang.
  • Ji Gong Is After the Demon (濟公捉妖), a 1965 Hong Kong film starring Sun Ma Sze Tsang.
  • Ji Gong and the 8 Immortals (濟公鬥八仙), a 1966 Hong Kong film starring Sun Ma Sze Tsang.
  • The Magnificent Monk (濟公活佛), a 1969 Hong Kong film starring Cheung Kwong-chiu.
  • The Living Buddha Chikung (濟公活佛), a 1975 Hong Kong film starring Yueh Yang.
  • The Mad Monk (佛跳牆), a 1977 Hong Kong film produced by the
    Julie Yeh Feng
    .
  • The Mad Monk Strikes Again (烏龍濟公), a 1978 Hong Kong film produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, starring
    Julie Yeh Feng
    .
  • Xin Ji Gong Huo Fo (新濟公活佛), a 1982 Taiwanese film starring Hsu Pu-liao.
  • The Mad Monk (濟公), a 1993 Hong Kong film starring Stephen Chow.
  • Ji Gong: Gu Cha Fengyun (濟公·古剎風雲), a 2010 Chinese film starring You Benchang.
  • Ji Gong: Cha Yi You Dao (濟公·茶亦有道), a 2010 Chinese film starring You Benchang.

Television series

Karl Maka, known for his role as Ji Gong in Zen Master (2001).

References

  1. ^ Wang Chien-ch’uan, “Spirit Writing Groups in Modern China (1840–1937): Textual Production, Public Teachings, and Charity.” In Modern Chinese Religion II 1850–2015, edited by Vincent Goossaert, Jan Kiely and John Lagerwey, Leiden: Brill, vol. 2, 651–684 (668–673).
  2. ^ 東井圓佛會

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ji Gong.
  • Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association
  • Shahar, Meir (Nov 1, 1998). Crazy Ji: Chinese Religion and Popular Literature. Harvard-Yenching Institute Monograph Series, Cambridge (MA). Vol. 48. London: Harvard University Asia Center. p. 330.
    ISBN 0674175638
    .
  • Katz, Paul (December 1989). "Book review (of Shahar's Crazy Ji)" (PDF). Chinese Studies. 18 (2): 441–447. BIBLID 0254-4466(2000)18:2.
  • In popular culture
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