In the recent hit drama "Flowers", the role of the uncle played by You Benchang once again set off heated discussions among the audience, and his familiar face evoked many people's childhood memories. However, the image of this uncle seems to be so bizarre, a monk with "broken shoes, broken hats, and broken robes", waving dirty and broken pu fans, walking in the streets and alleys, punishing evil and promoting good, and preaching truth, goodness and beauty, he is called "Jigong Living Buddha", also known as "Daoji".
Perhaps in the TV series, this crazy Jigong, who even likes to eat dog meat, makes people think that this is just a fictional character. But in fact, the historical Jigong not only exists really, but is also deeply respected and loved by the people. He left a Zen poem before his death, passing on the wisdom of his life to future generations.
Ji Gong, commonly known as Li Xiuyuan, was born in 1130 A.D., perhaps also in 1148, as a monk in the Southern Song Dynasty, his family is located in Yongning Village, Taizhou, Zhejiang. Jigong's ancestor was the concubine of Song Taizong, so he can be regarded as a prominent noble son, and his life is comfortable and comfortable.
The Li family has believed in Buddhism for generations and has frequent contacts with the monks of Shanmen, which makes Jigong have a relationship with Buddhism. His father, Li Maochun, was over forty years old, but he had no heirs, so he had to hope in the Buddha. After pious prayers, his wife finally became pregnant, and this child became the future Jigong.
Jigong has been influenced by Buddhism since he was a child and has a natural affinity for Buddhism. Unlike other children who chase and play, he prefers to read Buddhist scriptures quietly. However, due to the change of fate, Jigong lost his parents in the year of the weak crown, and the family property was also divided by relatives, but he did not dispute.
As time passed, Jigong left his hometown and went to Guoqing Temple to become a monk. Here, he received the Dharma name "Daoji", and later he traveled to Gion Temple, Guanyin Temple, and finally studied art at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. However, after becoming a monk, Jigong no longer practiced like ordinary monks, but indulged in wine and meat, and behaved in a crazy way.
Although Jigong's behavior is quite **, he never does anything that hurts nature and reason, but often gives alms to the poor and uses the medical skills he has learned to save lives and help the wounded. As a result, the name of "Living Buddha" gradually spread. Despite this, many Buddhists were dissatisfied with his actions, believing that he had damaged the image of Buddhism, and even proposed that he be expelled from the portal. However, his ** Huiyuan resolutely refused to allow it, believing that Buddhism is vast and should accommodate everything.
In 1201 AD, Huiyuan passed away, and Jigong left Lingyin Temple and went to Jingci Temple to take refuge. However, the good times did not last long, and three years later, Jingci Temple suffered a fire, and the temple was destroyed, and the abbot Dehui was also killed in the fire. In the face of this mutation, Jigong showed a different composure from the past and began to lead the monks to rebuild the monastery.
Until Jigong's death in 1209, he stayed in Jingci Temple. Before dying, he left a 24-character Zen poem, which expressed the true meaning of life. This Zen poem is called "Ode to the Passing of the World", and in just a few words, it contains profound wisdom, guiding people to transcend life and death and let go of obsessions.
Jigong's 60 years of life has experienced the transformation from a wealthy child to an old monk in the mountains, he walks in the world, tastes the ups and downs of life, and explores the answers in his heart. Eventually, however, he understood the meaning of life and discovered the truth.
Life is short, from birth to death, it is a beginning. Looking back on the past, everything is like water and sky, and after understanding, it is still the blue wave. While being kind to others and not doing evil things, Jigong goes with the flow and enjoys himself in time. He taught people not to be anxious when they encounter difficulties, but to be calm, because everything is the best arrangement.
"Timely pleasure" is not indulgence, but the discovery of the beauty of life in the ordinary. As the poet Li Bai said, "life must be full of joy", we should cherish every moment, in order to leave relaxed and calm face life.
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