Jigong became a monk in Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou because he escaped from marriage.
The Dharma name is Daoji, and he worships Xiantang Huiyuan as his teacher. He likes to chant sutras and meditate, does not abstain from alcohol and meat, speaks humorously, wears rags and hats, and holds a broken fan. Because of his disorderly behavior, the monks reported him to his teacher Huiyuan. In order to protect him, Huiyuan said: Buddhism is so big that it cannot tolerate a crazy monk! Therefore, it is also called Jiepian.
After his teacher Huiyuan passed away, he was forced to transfer to Jingci Temple. He has superb medical skills and often helps people. He is called Jigong Living Buddha by the people. Legend has it that he is the reincarnation of Arhat who subdued the dragon. Daoji passed away in Jingci Temple on May 16, the second year of Jiading in the Song Dynasty (1209), at the age of seventy-nine. Before his death, he composed a verse: In the past sixty years, he has been a mess, fighting from east to west.
Historical records
The life of Jigong Living Buddha was first seen in the Siku version of "Beifengji·Huyin Fangyuan Soli Relic Inscription". His "Relic Inscription" records the life of Jigong: "Sou, Li Duwei Wenhe Yuan's grandson, who is near the sea in Tiantai, received a speech from Zen Master Lingjun Fohai. He was wild and rough, medium and clean, and his words were not edgy or incomplete. The standard is often superior, and has the charm of Jin and Song Dynasties. He has been confident for half the world and has been in poverty for forty years.
Tiantai, Yandang, Kuanglu, Qianwan, the inscriptions are particularly meaningful... The old man was named Daoji, Huyin, Fangyuan Sou, all of them were called by people at that time. He died in Jingci on May 14th of the second year of Jiading.