No 783 of Living Life Series 1
One story of Ji Gong (济公) while he was man tells us that Ji (济) was about to be taken to task by a gang of Chinese officials. They were furious at him for exposing and spoiling a scheme they were hatching.
They sought him out and rained blows at him only to realize thereafter that they were beating up not Ji (济) but one of their own instead. Ji (济) was instead off to one side and watching the fun. As usual, he was drunk with Chinese wine and spouting some oddities.
This riled them more and made them pounce on him again, only to find that they have been beating each other instead. They end up bloodying themselves and making a joke out of themselves while Ji (济) was resting nearby looking on at how the officials had taught themselves a lesson.
This incident be it myth or reality is typical of the many exploits of Ji (济) as man. He seemed to have the knack to break all rules. He would dive into the thick and thin of trouble, but coming out unscathed and not only that, he would be somehow clean and seemingly not involved. He would somehow be watching from a distance.
They sought him out and rained blows at him only to realize thereafter that they were beating up not Ji (济) but one of their own instead. Ji (济) was instead off to one side and watching the fun. As usual, he was drunk with Chinese wine and spouting some oddities.
This riled them more and made them pounce on him again, only to find that they have been beating each other instead. They end up bloodying themselves and making a joke out of themselves while Ji (济) was resting nearby looking on at how the officials had taught themselves a lesson.
This incident be it myth or reality is typical of the many exploits of Ji (济) as man. He seemed to have the knack to break all rules. He would dive into the thick and thin of trouble, but coming out unscathed and not only that, he would be somehow clean and seemingly not involved. He would somehow be watching from a distance.
He was able to point out that the many who boastfully claimed to uphold the rules and ways of men might in fact be the opposite of what they were at heart. The unscrupulous rich and well placed might at times get what they wanted to the disadvantage of others. He was able to expose their true nature and motive. He was adept at making them teach themselves a lesson or two and be better off from the learning.
To those who know him, he is a saint, no less a living Buddha but to those who don't know him, he is an eccentric mad monk drinking and dancing in the streets of men. He was after all expelled from one of the largest monasteries in old China - the Linyin (灵隐寺).
But what matters is that he is able to dance into our hearts and show us that what matters is what goes through the heart and not what one does or what goes through the gut.
He teaches us to see through unscrupulous men and not be coerced into their schemes or be at their receiving ends but to see through them and make them come clean by making them turn their own schemes on themselves.
In today's world of 2014 and beyond, there are those who used the mantel of religion as a front for their less than religious agenda. They will be their own undoing and they will then come clean.
We might perhaps aspire to be a little bit like Ji Gong (济公) by doing just enough to ruffle their feathers but yet stay on the side line to watch them teach themselves a lesson or two. Well, well please have second thoughts for none of us is a Ji Gong (济公).
How can we be as wise as Ji Gong (济公)? If this is so, then desist and leave others alone. Fate and retribution will catch up with them. The laws of the land will reach out to them as well if they go too far. Do not play God or saint when we are not even up to the mark as humans. Sometimes even animals like dogs may be better than us... sad isn't it?
Lord Ji (济公), Lord Ji (济公), do guide us to be a wee bit like thee. But at no time should we deceive ourselves we have arrived and are thee.
To those who know him, he is a saint, no less a living Buddha but to those who don't know him, he is an eccentric mad monk drinking and dancing in the streets of men. He was after all expelled from one of the largest monasteries in old China - the Linyin (灵隐寺).
But what matters is that he is able to dance into our hearts and show us that what matters is what goes through the heart and not what one does or what goes through the gut.
He teaches us to see through unscrupulous men and not be coerced into their schemes or be at their receiving ends but to see through them and make them come clean by making them turn their own schemes on themselves.
In today's world of 2014 and beyond, there are those who used the mantel of religion as a front for their less than religious agenda. They will be their own undoing and they will then come clean.
We might perhaps aspire to be a little bit like Ji Gong (济公) by doing just enough to ruffle their feathers but yet stay on the side line to watch them teach themselves a lesson or two. Well, well please have second thoughts for none of us is a Ji Gong (济公).
How can we be as wise as Ji Gong (济公)? If this is so, then desist and leave others alone. Fate and retribution will catch up with them. The laws of the land will reach out to them as well if they go too far. Do not play God or saint when we are not even up to the mark as humans. Sometimes even animals like dogs may be better than us... sad isn't it?
Lord Ji (济公), Lord Ji (济公), do guide us to be a wee bit like thee. But at no time should we deceive ourselves we have arrived and are thee.
