From the teaching series \”Inner Dreams Kindergarten\” by Luang Por Dhammajayo (Wat Phra Dhammakaya) — Exploring the profound reality of human existence through real-life case studies on the Law of Karma.
1. The Background: Chronic Esophageal Spasms, Choking Crises, and Asphyxiation Terrors
This sobering case study illustrates the immediate and visible ripening of domestic violence and anger karma. The subject was a middle-aged man who developed an agonizing and life-threatening condition: whenever he attempted to ingest food—whether solid rice, noodles, pureed porridge, or soft fruits—the bolus became severely lodged within his esophagus, triggering violent choking and complete respiratory blockage.
During these episodes, his esophageal musculature clamped into severe spastic constriction, causing cyanosis (turning blue in the face), bulging eyes, and intense asphyxiation terror. Family members rushed him to hospital emergency units dozens of times for endoscopic foreign body extraction. Comprehensive clinical examinations revealed severe functional esophageal spasms without any physical tumors or anatomical lesions. Petrified at every meal, he and his wife consulted Luang Por Dhammajayo: What is the karmic cause behind this severe choking affliction?
2. Luang Por’s Insight: Immediate Karmic Retribution for Strangling One’s Spouse
Luang Por Dhammajayo revealed through meditative vision that acute esophageal constriction is the immediate karmic echo of physically strangling a spouse:
“His severe choking crises, esophageal spasms, and asphyxiation terrors represent the direct fruition of ‘Past and Present Domestic Violence Involving the Strangulation of His Wife.’ In a previous lifetime, he was an aggressive, hot-tempered husband. During domestic quarrels, he flew into violent rages, using both hands to forcefully strangle his wife’s neck, compressing her windpipe until she turned blue, gasping for breath and flailing in agony. Crucially, in this present lifetime, when intoxicated or agitated, he repeatedly strangled his current wife in identical fashion. The collective terror and suffocating trauma inflicted upon his spouse matured as ‘Immediate Visible Retribution’ (Ditthadhamma-Vedaniya-Kamma). Whenever he eats, his esophageal muscles involuntarily clamp shut in violent spasm, reproducing the exact sensation of breathlessness, cyanosis, and panic he repeatedly inflicted upon his wife.”
The spiritual mechanics of strangulation karma are categorized as follows:
- Immediate Retribution (Ditthadhamma-Vedaniya-Kamma): Abusing a loyal spouse generates rapid karmic consequences within the present lifetime.
- Esophageal Muscle Spasms: The physical manifestation of past hands forcefully choking another’s throat.
- The Agony of Suffocation: Replicated precisely as the terror of food lodged in the throat and inability to breathe.
3. Key Spiritual Lessons for Domestic Peace and Healing
This case delivers vital moral guidance for family harmony and karmic resolution:
- Seek Formal Forgiveness from the Spouse: Present incense, flowers, and prostrate before the wife to sincerely apologize and seek mutual pardon (Ahosikamma), permanently extinguishing domestic resentment.
- Maintain Absolute Non-Violence and Sobriety: Completely abstain from alcohol and practice anger management; remain silent and walk away when anger arises.
- Release Captive Animals and Offer Nourishing Meals: Sponsor the release of livestock from slaughter and offer delicious meals, pure water, and digestive medicines to Buddhist monks, centering the mind at the Seventh Base of the body (the center of the torso) daily to restore bodily harmony.
Canonical Tipitaka References
- Cula-kammavibhanga Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya (MN 135): The Buddha taught that individuals prone to destructive wrath, hostility, and violent harm against others suffer from numerous bodily diseases and severe physical afflictions upon rebirth.
- Dandavagga, Dhammapada (Verse 137): Whoever inflicts violence upon the innocent quickly meets intense physical pain, bodily destruction, grievous injury, or sudden loss of life.
Original Sermon Audio Recording: Listen to the complete sermon on YouTube: Ep.6 Case Study Law of Karma (Inner Dreams Series) by Luang Por Dhammajayo
