Executive Summary: Karma of Extreme Stinginess and Hoarding Wealth
A case study from the Dream in Dream Kindergarten exposing the terrifying defilement of “Stinginess” (Macchariya). A wealthy person who hoards their money and refuses to give even a single penny to charity renders their wealth useless and guarantees absolute starvation in their future lifetimes.
1. A Billionaire Imprisoned by Wealth
In a past life, this man was a billionaire with vast fortunes, but he was afflicted by extreme, crippling stinginess. He completely refused to donate to charity, never helped the poor, and strictly forbade his family members from making any religious merit. Ironically, he lived his own life in deprivation, refusing to buy quality food or comforts for himself because he was paralyzed by the fear of his wealth diminishing. On his deathbed, his mind remained heavily attached and obsessed with hoarding his fortune.
2. The Retribution of Karma
- The Guardian Spirit of Wealth (Pu Som): Because his mind was heavily shackled to his wealth at the moment of death, his inner body could not ascend to heaven. Instead, he was transformed into a earthbound spirit (Pu Som) forced to fiercely guard his buried treasure for hundreds or thousands of years, entirely unable to move on or experience any happiness.
- Born into Poverty or Inability to Enjoy Wealth: Once the earthbound karma expires and he is reborn as a human, the karma of stinginess will crush him into extreme poverty. Alternatively, if he manages to acquire wealth, circumstances will decree that he has “no right” to use it—for example, falling severely ill and being unable to eat fine foods, or having all assets permanently frozen by a court of law. (Possessing wealth, but unable to enjoy it).
- Perpetual Starvation and Rejection: The law of karma is absolute: one who never gives, receives nothing. He will face severe starvation, chronically lack the four basic necessities, and whenever he desperately begs for help in times of crisis, he will be universally rejected.
3. Spiritual Solutions
Luang Por Dhammajayo teaches that stinginess (Macchariya) is a rust that corrodes the mind, making it narrow and blind. Any wealth we accumulate must be converted into “Merit” through charity (Dana); otherwise, when we die, it is entirely left behind for others to spend. Anyone harboring stinginess must actively train themselves to be a “Giver.” Start with small, consistent donations, offer alms, and support society to shatter the stinginess in the heart. The Perfection of Charity (Dana Parami) is the only provision that travels with us across lifetimes.
