Executive Summary: Adultery Karma
A case study from the Dream in Dream Kindergarten by Luang Por Dhammajayo, illustrating the terrifying karmic consequences of breaking the third precept (sexual misconduct), which destroys families in this life and leads to excruciating torture in the netherworld.
1. The Root of Broken Homes
In a past life, a husband was chronically unfaithful, engaging in multiple affairs and taking minor wives. This caused immense heartbreak and suffering to his legal wife and children. This selfish indulgence in lust generated a heavy, dark karma that severely damaged the happiness of everyone involved.
2. Torment in the Netherworld
- Climbing the Thorny Silk-Cotton Tree: Upon death, the karma of adultery pulled him into the 3rd level of the netherworld. Hell wardens forced him, using red-hot iron spears, to climb a giant silk-cotton tree covered in glowing, razor-sharp iron thorns.
- Devoured by Hell Beasts: Unable to endure the pain, he would fall to the ground, only to be torn apart and devoured by monstrous iron dogs and giant ravens with iron beaks. Once reduced to bones, his body would regenerate to suffer the punishment repeatedly.
- Residual Karma in Human Life: Even after serving the hell sentence and being reborn as a human, the residual karma often causes the person to be born as a woman or transgender, and to constantly suffer from heartbreak, betrayal, and failed relationships.
3. Spiritual Solutions
Luang Por Dhammajayo advises that those who have made this mistake must quit cold turkey and strictly observe the third precept. They should perform all forms of merit—charity, morality, and meditation—and dedicate this merit to those they have wronged, resolving that the merit will dilute the heavy karmic retribution.
