The Lightning God’s Vow of Integrity

This is a record of an interview with Tang Zhiming, a Lightning God who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life during the Song Dynasty. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on April 25, 2021.

Tang Zhiming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When the decree from the Jade Emperor arrived, I, Tang Zhiming, immediately set out for central Taiwan to await my orders. I was filled with anticipation for this mission, as I had already been informed that this would be my final duty. Once this task was completed, I would be granted the opportunity to receive Spiritual Deliverance from Practitioner Su and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

We, the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, were all acutely aware of the severe drought plaguing Taiwan. We longed to alleviate the suffering of the people, yet we were constrained by the Collective Karma of the Taiwanese population. We could not interfere with the laws of cause and effect; we had to wait for the appropriate Causal Conditions to arise before we could offer our assistance. To our surprise, those conditions manifested much sooner than expected. The Dharma Body of Practitioner Su exerted immense power, arriving in Taiwan alongside Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and immeasurable, boundless Bodhisattvas from across the universe to perform Spiritual Deliverance. They meticulously rescued the sentient beings who had been waiting in the space of Taiwan to seek revenge, layer by layer, helping them to break free from their suffering. Only then did we have the opportunity to enter Taiwan and bring the much-needed rain.

The Weight of Collective Karma

The rainfall we brought was limited, for the karma accumulated over hundreds, thousands, and even millions of years had piled up in layers that no one had the ability to resolve. Even the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas could not interfere until the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su appeared to help transform this karma and deliver the spirits who had been harmed by the people of Taiwan. However, this is by no means something that can be resolved in an instant. If the people of Taiwan can cultivate sincere repentance, turn their minds toward the righteous path, follow the Buddha by chanting Namo Amituofo, and receive the compassionate assistance of Practitioner Su, the speed at which this drought is resolved will certainly accelerate.

We, the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, exist only to await the commands of the Jade Emperor. Whatever amount of rain the Jade Emperor instructs us to bring, we will deliver every single drop. We will give exactly what is required, fulfilling our duty and completing our mission with absolute precision.

A Childhood of Virtue and Influence

I am Tang Zhiming, a native of northern China, born during the Song Dynasty. My parents were a deeply loving couple who cherished children. However, after I was born, they made the difficult decision to entrust me to a wet nurse, only returning home occasionally to visit me. They did this because they had failed to raise my eldest brother properly. They had pampered him from a young age, leading him to cause trouble everywhere he went. By the time he was only ten, my parents had completely lost control over him; they would only see him once every few days. He spent his time with a group of ruffians, doing whatever he pleased and committing all sorts of evil deeds. Because he was the youngest in that group, he was the quickest to learn, and he was highly regarded by the others. They would say, 'We will rely on him to lead us in the future! He is so young and already following us; he will surely achieve great things—perhaps even lead a rebellion! Hahaha!'

Seeing my brother become such a person, my parents feared they would raise another child just like him. That is why they entrusted me to the wet nurse, with repeated instructions that she must educate me well so that I would become a useful member of society.

The wet nurse had children of her own, though they were much older. Her eldest son was seventeen when I was two, her second son was fifteen, and her youngest was thirteen. She had raised them all to be exemplary, and they were recognized throughout the village as well-behaved children. She was not a professional nanny; rather, my mother and she had been close friends who grew up together in the same neighborhood. Out of that friendship, and seeing the tragic path my eldest brother had taken, she agreed to care for me without accepting a single cent. My parents were deeply grateful to her, trusting that I would be well-cared for under her guidance.

The Path of an Upright Official

I grew up with the wet nurse's three sons as if they were my own brothers. I called them my eldest, second, and third brothers. They often helped their mother care for me, and sometimes they would take me out, not just to buy me treats, but primarily to help me understand the world. For instance, when I was four, my three brothers took me to a bustling street. A woman rushed out and asked, 'Good morning, young masters! Would you like to buy some steamed buns today?' My eldest brother walked to her stall and asked, 'Are you new to this area?' The woman replied, 'Yes! I moved here recently and have children to feed. I happen to make good steamed buns, so I came to the street to sell them.' My eldest brother asked, 'What fillings do you have?' The woman answered, 'Whatever you like, I have! Pork, chicken with vegetables, sweet bean paste... I have it all! Which one would you like?' My eldest brother paused for a moment and said, 'If you would switch to selling only vegetarian buns and never sell meat fillings again, I will buy every single bun you make for the entire year!' The woman did not hesitate for a second: 'No problem! Absolutely no problem! Vegetarian is good! I have long wanted to adopt a vegetarian diet!'

After leaving the stall, my second brother asked, 'Who are we going to give all these buns to?' My eldest brother replied, 'I heard that a kind-hearted old lady in the street has taken in many children to care for. She has a heart of gold and cannot bear to see children without parents, so she brings them all home. I want to give these buns to them so that the old lady can lighten her burden.' My second brother agreed, and my third brother nodded in approval.

A few steps later, we encountered Wang Feng, who was again bullying children from poor families. My second brother walked over, and the moment Wang Feng saw him, he stopped his actions instantly. The others followed suit. My second brother taught this group of wealthy children who were used to bullying others, and they soon scattered. They listened to my second brother because he was a man of absolute integrity, capable of distinguishing right from wrong and leading by example. Even if his own family members made a mistake, he would impartially point it out. This righteous energy, radiating from within, naturally commanded respect and awe, which is why Wang Feng obeyed him and stopped teasing others.

We continued walking, and my third brother suddenly shouted, 'Wait!' We all stopped. My eldest brother asked, 'What is it?' My third brother said, 'There is a group of ants here preparing food for winter. Look, they are lined up in a row crossing the road; we must not step on them.' My third brother cherished all life; even a small ant or mosquito was treated with care, for he feared causing them harm. Each of my three brothers possessed virtues worth learning, so I integrated their strengths into my own character, developing a unique presence of my own.

A Final Vow and the Rain of Truth

Although my parents were not by my side, I learned filial piety from my brothers. I wrote to my parents every day, letting them know what I was doing and inquiring about their well-being. My brothers taught me that as long as I behaved well and helped others, that was the greatest filial piety I could offer my parents. This was, after all, the primary reason my parents had entrusted me to the wet nurse.

When I grew up, I passed the examinations to become a local official. I was an honest and upright civil servant. I adopted my eldest brother's capacity of mind, using half of my earnings to support my parents and the other half to practise Generosity toward society. I also adopted my second brother's integrity, handling matters with complete impartiality. Even when villains tried to frame me, I felt no fear; instead, I worked even harder to eradicate evils from society, returning a peaceful and stable life to the civilians. My righteous energy was respected by many spirits and gods. It seemed that wherever I went, paths were cleared for me. Even in torrential rain, the moment I prepared to step out of my sedan chair, the rain would stop instantly, a phenomenon that left everyone in awe.

I also learned my third brother's compassion. I encouraged those around me to adopt a vegetarian diet, and because my words were persuasive, many friends and family members followed my lead, ceasing to harm living beings. My entire life was spent on the righteous path, and I never did anything that went against my conscience. At the age of thirty-two, I was framed. I do not know how they forged the evidence, claiming I had colluded with corrupt merchants and embezzled public funds. They found many treasury coins and treasures in my residence. Because the evidence seemed conclusive, no one could help me. I offered no explanation and did not defend myself, for the officials handling the case were all their accomplices. Even if I had explained, they would not have cleared my name.

On the day of my execution, I swore to the heavens: 'I, Tang Zhiming, have never done anything against the heavens. My heart is bright and upright. If I have spoken a single untruth, I am willing to be struck by lightning. If I have truly been framed, I ask the heavens to send down a heavy rain to nourish this long-parched land, as if my own pure blood were being exchanged for the rain that irrigates all things.' After I finished speaking, the time arrived. The executioner pulled the placard from my back, raised his blade, and in an instant, my head was severed. At the very moment my head was about to hit the ground, a torrential rain truly fell from the sky. This rain washed away my false charges and restored my innocence. The people all knelt, bowing three times to the heavens in reverence.

Deliverance and the Western Pure Land

My spirit quickly left my body and entered the Celestial Realm. The Jade Emperor praised my life's work and appointed me as a Lightning God. Before the Thunder God strikes, I illuminate the heavens and earth, allowing the Thunder God to see clearly who is right and who is wrong, so that he may strike those who have committed many evils.

At this very moment, I am already in the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The Dharma Body of Practitioner Su continues to perform Spiritual Deliverance in Taiwan every day. Taiwan, once rich in water, now faces the calamity of drought, which can be seen as a result of the human heart, causing karma to seek retribution. Fortunately, the people of Taiwan have always been generous and have contributed tirelessly to the Buddha’s teachings, which is why they are protected by the Buddhas and can receive help to resolve crises when disasters arise.

Practitioner Su is truly a living Buddha in this world, eliminating disasters and resolving difficulties. His Dharma Body benefits the heavens and earth, widely saving immeasurable crowds of beings. If not for the assistance of Practitioner Su's Dharma Body, the anger and hatred in the space of Taiwan would continue to burn. Not only would the rain fail to fall, but many places would suffer disasters, leaving the people to live in pain.

I am grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su, who uses his boldness and Wisdom to resolve these difficulties. The disaster is still being resolved, and I pray that all beings may soon leave suffering behind. I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and for the powerful rescue by Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Tang Zhiming

Memorial Tablet: For the drought in Taiwan, the Lightning God who sought Spiritual Deliverance to bring rain to the central region, along with the creatures brought by the Lightning God, the Lightning God's family members, and the sentient beings connected by karmic affinity in the space where the rain fell in Taiwan. The number is immeasurable. Representative: Tang Zhiming (seeking restoration, seeking purification, seeking Spiritual Deliverance).

Entered the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre."