Born in Tiantai during the Southern Song Dynasty, Daoji was a Buddhist monk. Well-versed in writing, widely mad and non-observant of monk’s vows (no drinking and eating meat), he teased heartless rich men, yet acquainted with officials. He was looked upon as a deity who thoroughly understood the Buddha dharma by monks and laymen. It was in the old local records that, “Daoji was mad and paid no attention to trifle matters. Drinking and eating meat like the worldly people, he was thought to be crazy, thus called Jidian (“Crazy Ji”).”

Contemporary scholars held that, “Jidian” phenomenon reflected the secularization and popularization of Buddhism during the Southern Song Dynasty: as though a monk of loose conduct, Jidian was such a kind-hearted figure in folk legend.