This is a record of an interview with Zhang Ganlan, the Rain God, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition to the celestial realm. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Hailiang, on March 9, 2021.
Zhang Ganlan speaks:
". I am Zhang Ganlan. When the parched earth finally meets the sweet dew of rain, it is the most beautiful sight in the world. In a place suffering from drought, the arrival of rain is a salvation for all things. The dry, brittle grass turns a vibrant, lush green, and plants drink deeply, growing stronger and taller with every passing day. For humanity, rain provides the essential water for daily life—water to drink, water to nourish our gardens, water for cleansing, and even, in times of abundance, water for children to play and swim in. Animals, too, find relief from their thirst. Rain is universally welcomed, yet we must understand the delicate balance of nature. If the rain falls too heavily, it becomes a disaster. Floods bring immense suffering; animals drown, crops rot at the root, and human homes are destroyed. The dampness that follows a flood breeds disease and infection. Everything in this world, when taken to excess, becomes harmful. Thus, it is the gentle, appropriate rain that is truly a blessing."
A Name Born of Earth and Prosperity
"My name, Zhang Ganlan, was given to me by my parents in a small farming village. Our entire family lived by cultivating vegetables. Crops are entirely dependent on rain—not too much, not too little, but just the right amount to make the vegetables plump, juicy, and beautiful. If the weather is too dry, the leaves become tough and withered, leading to a failed harvest. If it is too wet, the vegetables suffer from 'water damage' and rot. My mother and father were experts in growing cabbage, or 'ganlan' as we call it. When I was born, they named me Zhang Ganlan, hoping I would be as robust and thriving as the crops they cherished.
In our village, some vegetables would struggle to sell depending on the season, but cabbage always held a base price. Farmers who grew it were rarely at risk of a loss, unless a natural disaster struck. I was fortunate; my birth brought a sense of abundance to our home. Whatever my parents chose to plant, it grew magnificently. My father would often say to my mother, 'Ever since we had our son, Zhang Ganlan, our luck has changed. We don't even need to use much fertiliser, yet everything grows so well.' Villagers would flock to our home, asking, 'What secret nutrients are you using? Why are your vegetables so sweet and delicious?' My father would simply smile and reply, 'Perhaps it is the blessing my son brings.' The vegetables grew better and better, and the villagers, though hopeful for a secret formula, were often left bewildered by my father's answer. Only my Uncle Zhang from the next village understood, telling my father, 'Then we should have children and give them names that bring similar fortune!'"
The Miracle of the Vegetable Kingdom
"My father, a man of great mind-capacity, told him, 'Heart's desire, wish fulfilled; if you have a sincere vow, it will surely be accomplished.' If you truly believe it, your wish will manifest. Sure enough, a year later, Uncle Zhang returned, holding his newborn son. He asked my father if there was a special ritual for naming, and upon learning there wasn't, he named his son 'Zhang Digua'—Sweet Potato. When he returned home, Uncle Zhang began planting sweet potatoes. They were extraordinary—the yellow and white varieties were incredibly sweet and tender. Not only did the tubers grow well, but the leaves were lush and abundant. Uncle Zhang had leaves to eat and potatoes to sell. When the harvest came, he brought a large basket to my father as a gesture of gratitude. The potatoes were perfect—not too big, not too small. As they sat together, laughing, it seemed they shared a secret understanding of how this phenomenon worked. After Uncle Zhang prospered, the news spread, and the entire village began to experience this 'Heart's Desire, Wish Fulfilled' miracle. Within a year or two, many children were born, each with names reflecting the crops their families grew.
We had 'Taro Girl,' 'Zhang Cabbage,' 'Zhang Leek,' and 'Zhang Radish.' You could tell what a family grew just by their child's name. Gradually, the entire village flourished. We renovated our old houses and decorated the walls with murals of a 'Vegetable Kingdom.' The news travelled far, attracting visitors from distant lands. Eventually, the villagers no longer needed to toil in the fields; they simply taught visitors the art of cultivation, and wealth followed naturally."
A Celestial Calling
"I watched this transformation from a simple farming village into a thriving agricultural community throughout my youth. Then, one night, I had a dream. I saw myself transformed into the Rain God. The Jade Emperor had summoned me back to the heavens, declaring that my purpose in the human world had been fulfilled and that I must return to report. When I awoke, I knew it was no mere dream. I was only twenty-four years old, and I did not know how to explain this to my parents. Yet, I had to be honest. I told them everything—that I had come to be their son because of my father's sincere prayer and our past karmic affinity, and that now, my time had come to return to the celestial realm. I asked for their understanding. Fortunately, they had my younger sister, Rufa, to keep them company. That very afternoon, after I revealed my mission, my parents saw me off. I felt no pain or illness; as I stood in our courtyard, a brilliant light enveloped me, and I ascended back to the heavens.
When I knelt before the Jade Emperor, he said, 'Rain God, there is a place that desperately needs your presence to provide rain for the residents, especially a very special temple: the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. The people living there are a salvation team.' Everyone there is dedicated to helping others, striving to make the world a better place and ending the cycle of drought. Because Australia is hot and dry, water is often scarce. There is a true practitioner who has attained Buddhahood, Practitioner Su. To bring rain, he gathers everyone to chant Buddha's name. Through his virtue, he has delivered many sentient beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now is the perfect time for verification. We must provide rain to this blessed land so that more people may realise the benefits of chanting Namo Amituofo and learning the Buddha's teachings. Only then can they help humanity and rectify the hearts of the people. Even the earth and the smallest insects are following Practitioner Su in chanting, finding liberation and the chance for a new life. We, the gods in heaven, will soon seek deliverance together, and we ask Practitioner Su to guide us to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."
Supporting the Salvation Team at Hsiang Kuang
"I, the Rain God Zhang Ganlan, realised then that everything is indeed a matter of 'Heart's desire, wish fulfilled.' I am willing to join this salvation team. Following Practitioner Su in chanting Namo Amituofo, and supporting the team in their mission to save the world, success is inevitable. I am honoured to be part of this great work.
Namo Amituofo."
This interview was recorded by the disciple Shi Hailiang.
