Ji Gong (Mad Monk)

Introduction

A tattered hat, a tattered fan, tattered shoes, a tattered robe, and a jug of wine in his hand — the god who looks least like a god is Jigong, also called the Living Buddha Jigong or the Crazy Monk Ji. He was originally Daoji, an eminent monk of the Southern Song dynasty who drank wine, ate meat, and behaved like a madman, yet specialized in curing strange illnesses and standing up for the wronged. His line 'Wine and meat pass through the gut; the Buddha stays in the heart' is still quoted today. In Taiwan, Jigong is the most down-to-earth of gods: he doesn't care about status and values loyalty above all, which makes him especially beloved by working people and small business owners. At temple festivals, when Jigong descends into a spirit medium, the medium drinks wine, waves a fan, and hops about — the most entertaining moment of the whole event. All that 'tattered' isn't poverty; it's his trademark — tearing away every false outward form to point straight at the true heart. After bowing before so many solemn, upright gods, many people find they feel most at ease in front of Jigong.

Legend & Origin

Jigong was born Li Xiuyuan in 1148, the eighteenth year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song, into a scholarly family in Tiantai, Zhejiang. As a young man he became a monk at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, taking the Dharma name Daoji — and then managed to offend everyone in the monastery: drinking, eating meat, saying outrageous things. The monks couldn't stand it and gave him the nickname 'Jidian,' Ji the Crazy.

Yet this mad monk had real ability. He could rub a pill out of a scrap of his tattered robe and cure a stubborn illness, and he made a point of standing up for the poor and punishing the wicked. The most famous story is the legend of the 'Flying Peak.' Jigong foresaw that a mountain peak was about to fly in and crush a village. He ran around shouting warnings, but no one believed him. In desperation, he grabbed a bride in the middle of her wedding ceremony and ran off with her on his back, and the whole village chased after him to get her back. The peak came crashing down — on a village that was now completely empty. Only then did everyone understand: the madman had saved them all.

In 1209, the second year of the Jiading era, Daoji passed away at Jingci Temple in Hangzhou, leaving a verse: 'Sixty years of mess and muddle, east wall knocking into west; now I gather up and head home — as before, water meets the blue sky.' A life of madness, and a life of perfect clarity.

Worship Guide

Worshipping Jigong may be the most relaxed temple visit in all of Taiwan: the offerings can include wine and meat! Rice wine, sesame-oil wine chicken, braised snacks, and fruit are all fine — the exact opposite of the vegetarian rules most gods follow, and true to Jigong's freedom from formality.

What do you ask him for? Saving people and helping the world is his calling: healing illness and removing calamity, turning aside bad luck, standing up for the vulnerable, and seeking justice are all fair to ask. Some temples keep the tradition of Jigong descending into a medium to handle requests, the medium drinking wine and waving a fan in the crazy monk's style.

There are hardly any taboos: worshipping Jigong needs no elaborate ritual — sincerity is what makes prayers answered. But don't misread 'wine and meat pass through the gut' — he doesn't sweat the small stuff, yet what he values most is the sincerity in your heart.

Festivals

Jigong's birthday falls on the 2nd day of the second lunar month. Jigong temples hold spirit-medium rites and ceremonies for helping the world. When Jigong descends, the medium's behavior turns zany and playful — drinking wine, waving a fan, hopping about — one of the most entertaining sights at any temple festival.

Famous Temples

⛩️ Chukou Longyin Temple Details →

Fanlu Township, Chiayi County

Dedicated to Chan Master Ji Gong. According to the temple, both TTV's Ji Gong and CTV's Ji Gong the Living Buddha were filmed here.