Legends concerning the "Tiantai Trio" recorded in Buddhist biographical sources tell us next to nothing about the main events of their life. They focus instead on conversations Han Shan (Japanese Kanzan) had with Shi De (Jittoku) and their common old master Feng Gan (Bukan) who was understood as incarnation of the Buddha Amitabha. The historical Chan (Zen) iconoclasts are pictured all the three immersed in deep slumber, leaning fondly on the sleepy tigress. It is generally interpreted as symbolizing the absolute tranquillity of the universe for those who have attained complete enlightenment. In these accounts, they are invariably portrayed, in good Chan fashion, as poor but happy recluses, bordering on the crazy, who constantly do and say nonsensical things. A number of these stories read like "gong an" (Japanese "koan," also known as "test on entering samadhi"). Intoxicated by crazy wisdom, the bawdy, spontaneous behaviour of these unorthodox spiritual masters rarely conformed to the rigid strictures, materialistic values, and arid proprieties of respectable society. Irreverently flaunting their uncompromising freedom by subverting all forms of social convention and superficial value systems, these enlightened lunatics had a genius for shaking up the religious establishment and keeping alive the inner meaning of spiritual truth during the time of mainstream Buddhism's external decline, continuing to motivate and challenge those members of society open to such inspired spiritual influence while appearing mad from the banal, ordinary point of view. At another level, all the three are also prototypes of the crazy saints, wise men, sages, and itinerant hermits who contrast so markedly with the ordinary monastic brotherhood and worldly society lifestyles.