One Greedy Thought, A Thousand Doors of Trouble

Attorney Liu Longzhu: Hello everyone, I'm Attorney Liu Longzhu. Today, we are deeply honored to welcome one of Fo Guang Shan's most senior elders, Venerable Master Xindingding—also the abbot of Thai Hua Temple in Thailand—to offer us guidance and share his teachings. Venerable Master Xindingding, may auspiciousness be with you.

 Today, I specifically sought his guidance on some modern issues. As a divorce lawyer, I've handled numerous divorce cases. Particularly among my clients, many are wealthy, influential, and powerful individuals whose marriages nonetheless end in divorce. There's a saying that "poverty brings sorrow to married couples," but through my divorce practice, I've discovered the opposite to be true.Truly, couples with average incomes, modest finances, and lives that are just manageable tend to have more stable relationships.My clients are rarely ordinary working-class couples, much less those in poverty. Instead, they are predominantly wealthy and influential couples. Take, for example, the recent case of Hong Kong singer Celine Lee, who, after experiencing a breakdown in her relationship, tragically took her own life. Why is it not the case that "poverty brings sorrow to married couples," but rather the opposite—wealth and privilege?

First, it's the inability to grow old together, leading to countless problems. Many people end their lives this way—sometimes even through homicide—and it's something most people simply can't comprehend. I've made numerous videos about the Li Wen incident, but I've only addressed the legal aspects, the surface-level issues. Today, I've specially invited Master Ding to offer his insights and explain the deepest underlying reasons. What is the true cause?

Master Ding: We say, "It takes a hundred lifetimes of cultivation to share a bed." As husband and wife, it takes karmic connections spanning several past lives to become spouses.This reflects how ancient Chinese culture deeply revered true affection. Over the 2,000 years since Buddhism entered China, it has further emphasized abstaining from illicit sexual conduct. Abstaining from illicit sexual conduct means engaging only in normal marital relations between husband and wife for the purpose of continuing the family line. But in this era, customs and traditions have been eroded, leading to extreme casualness in matters of men and women. This casualness is so pervasive that some wealthy individuals,wealthy families, some men—not necessarily seeking multiple women intentionally—find women actively throwing themselves at them. As long as they can spend freely, and their boyfriend can buy them a house or a car, they willingly engage in such relationships. Thus, social customs and folkways have degenerated to a point where people sometimes feel no shame or remorse—it has become utterly casual.

Another reason is that we fail to cherish our karmic connections. Within a family—let alone between parents and children—there exists a karmic bond from past lives. As spouses, we share an even deeper karmic connection that unites us as husband and wife. I often reflect on these bonds: if couples nurture mutual affection, care for one another, and show deep concern throughout their lives, they will naturally support each other in old age.Consider this: when illness strikes in old age, one may lack even the strength to fetch a cup of hot water. At such times, having a spouse by one's side to provide care is truly invaluable.

So in this case, the divorce caused by an extramarital affair is truly unfortunate. I once encountered a fortune-teller who, in her later years, was once snatched away by a little demon. When she was taken, King Yama declared, "You little demon made a mistake! You grabbed someone with the same surname and similar-sounding name by accident."Her time to pass hasn't come yet, and she's done good deeds. You should return her to life." The fortune-teller then asked, "King Yama, I've spent my life reading faces and telling fortunes. What good deeds have I done?" The King replied, "Though you read faces and tell fortunes, when men or women come to ask you, 'Should we divorce?'You gently counseled them to cherish their karmic bond—the deep connection of lifelong marriage—and not to speak lightly of divorce. You persuaded many couples to reconcile, and this is great merit. Therefore, your lifespan can be extended by several years." So he ordered the little demons to take her back. The little demons, furious and humiliated, grabbed her hair and flung her out.The elderly woman in this told me that when she awoke, she still felt intense pain on her forehead where her hair had been pulled. She mentioned she has a house on Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road in Taipei City that she wishes to gift to me, believing that doing good deeds brings merit. This shows that cherishing and valuing the karmic bond of marriage, rather than engaging in extramarital affairs or abnormal relationships, will enhance one's blessings.This perspective is offered for your reference based on Buddhist teachings. Thank you.