The Virtue of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Holy Occurrences ⇒ A Wild Squirrel Offered Avocadoes to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III 

The Virtue of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Holy Occurrences ⇒ A Wild Squirrel Offered Avocadoes to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III 

          In the afternoon of April 24th, 2000, disciple Long Zhi,1 and Juehai walked along the swimming pool with H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata in the outer area of the mandala. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III pointed to an avocado tree and said, “I want everyone to try the fruits.” So H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III told Long Zhi to get a fruit catcher. Long Zhi looked around and didn’t find one. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “We have to pick some avocados.” Right after H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III spoke these words, a brown squirrel came down from an old pine tree. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III told everyone, “Don’t chase the squirrel away. It came to help.” 

          The squirrel climbed up the avocado tree and started looking for avocados. It started to use all of its skills by jumping from branch to branch, hanging upside down, and sometimes holding on to a branch with just one paw to locate the avocados. It was hard to see the green avocados amongst the very bushy green leaves. But the squirrel was able to distinguish them and delivered the avocados one by one. In less than ten minutes, the squirrel delivered six avocados. H.H. Buddha Master said that was enough. So Long Zhi told the squirrel: “Hey, squirrel, you have been working hard. Your offering has built up plenty of merit. It is enough.” The squirrel stopped and stayed on the branch. It looked at H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III with both paws held together. These six avocados were offerings to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III by the squirrel. 

          When H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was about to leave, the squirrel did one prostration in front of the Buddha Master and slowly departed. Since then, the nuns who live at the holy mandala watch squirrels climbing on the avocado tree but never see the avocados being picked anymore as offerings. 

          Dragon fish stood up on the water to show their respect for His Holiness. Animals offered fruits to His Holiness. Cases like these can hardly be found among other dharma kings and eminent monks in history. 

          The story of the squirrel offering six avocados to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III recorded by Long Zhi and Juehai is totally true. If it is not true, we will be responsible for all resulting bad karma. If it is true, the merits will be dedicated to all living beings in the six realms of reincarnation. May they be able to listen to true Buddha-dharma from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. 

          Long Zhi 

A wild squirrel learned dharma under H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The above photograph shows the six avocadoes that the squirrel picked from a tree and offered to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.