Executive Summary: Karma of Selling Intoxicants and Drugs
A case study from the Dream in Dream Kindergarten exposing the terrifying consequences of Wrong Livelihood (Miccha Ajiva). Profiting from the destruction of others through the sale of intoxicants and drugs leads to agonizing torment in the major hells and multi-lifetime suffering.
1. A Trade Built on Ruin
In a past life, this man was a wealthy merchant who amassed his fortune by producing and selling alcohol and illicit drugs. Although he rationalized it by saying, “I didn’t force anyone to buy it,” and used some of the money for public charity, the reality was stark. His wealth was accumulated at the direct cost of his customers’ mindfulness, health, and the ruination of countless families, generating an incredibly dense and dark karmic burden.
2. The Retribution of Karma
- The 5th Major Hell (Maha Roruva Naraka): Immediately after death, hell wardens dragged his inner body into the 5th Major Hell. He was bound tightly while wardens poured boiling, black acidic liquid down his throat. The acid violently melted his throat, stomach, and intestines before escaping through his lower body. His form continuously regenerated only to endure the same torture for eons.
- Collapse of His Lineage: While he suffered in hell, the ill-gotten wealth he left behind on Earth was rapidly squandered by his descendants. His children became addicted to drugs and fought violently, leading to the complete collapse of his family lineage—a direct reflection of how his business destroyed other families.
- Mental and Physical Deformities: When he finally escapes hell and is reborn as a human, the residual karma ensures he is born with severe mental disabilities, insanity, or congenital physical deformities (such as being deaf or mute). He will be unable to lead a normal life for numerous lifetimes.
3. Spiritual Solutions
Luang Por Dhammajayo emphasizes that trading in intoxicants, poisons, and addictive drugs is among the five strictly prohibited trades (Miccha Ajiva) for Buddhists. While it may yield quick wealth, it is “cursed wealth.” Anyone involved must abandon this trade completely and instantly. They must shift to an honest livelihood (Samma Ajiva), strictly observe the 5 precepts, and practice profound meditation to generate pure merit that can help dilute their dark past.
