Ji Gong

Ji Gong, better known as The Mad Monk, is a supporting character in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese.
==Background==
Ji Gong, also known as Chan Master Daoji, was said to have been a Buddhist monk who, through his usual prayer and practices, managed to obtain supernatural powers, essentially turning him into a bodhisattva, similar to Guanyin, or an arhat, someone who has achieved nirvana. He is seen in some circles as being a deity himself and is often portrayed as a smiling, tattered robe wearing, wine drinker who is usually portrayed as easy-going.
===Personality===
Contrary to his usual portrayals, Ji Gong is shown to be somewhat embittered and cynical, following his loss at becoming a Great Sage to Sun Wukong. He is stuck in self-pitying and feels that he does not get the respect or admiration he deserves. So much so, that he was willing to team up with Niu Mowang to get back at Wukong and Wei-Chen. He is actually cowardly, yet somewhat honorable, as he did not think it was right to hurt Wei-Chen and ran away when Mowang put forth his plan to destroy Heaven and Earth.
===Physical appearance===
When in Heaven, Ji Gong wore non-traditional garments, reflecting his laid-back personality. This was carried over when he started living on Earth, wearing dirty pants and shirt, patchwork denim jacket and a beanie. He is also distinguishable with his long grey messy hair.
===Powers and abilities===
Ji Gong is a martial arts expert, particularly in drunken fist technique, and is shown to also possess some degree of seer reading as he makes paintings that foretell the future.
==Trivia==
*The real life Ji Gong was said to have lived from December 22, 1130 – May 16, 1209 and was said to have started a new Buddhist movement.
*Ji Gong's fighting style appears to be that of Zuì Quán (醉拳), better known as Drunken Fist, or Drunken Boxing. While this fighting technique has been around for, presumably, centuries (no one knows the true origin of the fighting style), it was made popular by action star Jackie Chan in his 1978 film Drunken Master.
==External links==
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Category:American Born Chinese characters
Category:Live-action characters
Category:Chinese characters
Category:Magic Users
Category:Historical characters
Category:Asian characters
Category:Neutral characters
Category:Males