To reach out to the poor of all races and religions. To strengthen racial and religious harmony. Legends of Jigong first appeared as a literary work during the Song Dynasty. Funny and entertaining, the stories of Jigong had gone a long way in inculcating moral values in the common people. Numerous accounts had been written and published. Eventually, the original writer became obscure. Jigong was a
peculiar and remarkable character. He was an immortal who made his appearance in the human world and mingled with ordinary folks. To reach out to the poor. He wears rags and he has no home but sleeps by the road side to reach out to the homeless and he drinks wine to reach out to the drunkards. He was never seen drunk and legend is that the wine never reaches his stomach but is magically evaporated. He is popularly known in China as the Living Buddha. He did many good deeds - helping a goldsmith to find his long-lost daughter, punishing an unscrupulous man, overpowering a boa spirit, exposing a fox spirit, reuninting a couple, and rebuilding a tablet hall. He has always taught that all major religions come from God and heaven. Thus, people of all religions should respect each other and not be antagonistic because the core teachings are essentially the same. All should work together to help the less fortunate.
