The Secret of the Handsome Man and Money Falling into the Stomach

As the afternoon sun slanted through the ancient trees in the temple grounds, it cast shimmering patterns on the red brick floor. The air was so still that one could hear the dry leaves rustling softly underfoot. Among the Buddhists seated to listen to the dharma talk, eyes inadvertently rested upon a middle-aged man of striking appearance. With his neatly trimmed beard and strong posture, he embodied a peculiar kind of beauty, the sort that stirs hearts and invites immediate affection.

Yet behind this glamour lay a profound story about the waste of blessings from merit. The teacher began with a voice that was warm yet deeply awakening. He spoke of a time when he met a traveler returning from abroad, carrying a large sum of money accumulated over many years. This man possessed some goodwill and was ready to open his purse for anyone in need. However, fate or karma led him to encounter a young woman who was charming, sweet-spoken, and whose smiling eyes completely clouded his reason.

The image of the traveler standing before her became vivid in the minds of the listeners. His trembling hand withdrew a thick bundle of cash and placed it in hers. Her eyes sparkled with greed, while he smiled with satisfaction, feeling loved and cherished. If she had used that money for charity, building bridges, paving roads, or making offerings to the Three Jewels, both he and she would have received immeasurable blessings from merit. But sadly, as the teacher emphasized each word, she spent it only on expensive clothes, cosmetics, and perfumes to adorn herself. That wealth slipped away like water through fingers, leaving no merit behind.

What happened next? The man suddenly faced a string of misfortunes. His business failed, his finances dwindled, and life became harder than ever before. This was the karmic result of using assets incorrectly. He had spent his blessings from merit to nurture desire and vanity, rather than planting seeds of goodness.

The teacher continued his analysis, offering another example regarding how people mistakenly believe they are using money correctly. Many Buddhists think that simply handing out gifts to the poor constitutes charity and proper use of funds. But this is not necessarily true. Consider carefully: what do the poor truly lack? They lack money, but more deeply, they lack merit and moral virtue.

A young monk sitting nearby nodded, his eyes widening at the explanation. If you only give them money, they will spend it all and return to poverty. You are merely transferring your merit to them, but this is only a temporary and shallow solution. Money falls into their stomachs, and eventually, it must leave by natural means. It does not remain long-term.

The teacher paused, allowing the assembly to absorb the meaning, before concluding with a powerful metaphor. If you accompany that money with advice on cause and effect (karmic law), a lesson in ethics, and guidance on practice and doing good deeds to create their own merit, then wisdom falls into their hearts. Once in the heart, it rises to the mind and stays there, transforming them from within. This is the deep, sustainable way to use money that truly helps others rise up.

The story ended in contemplative silence. Many in the audience bowed their heads, recalling times they had rushed to donate without sharing knowledge and moral principles. They realized that blessings from merit are not meant to be spent until exhausted, but are seeds that must be planted carefully, in the right soil and season.

The core lesson concerns the art of using what we have—money, beauty, reputation—correctly. If we only enjoy them or use them wrongly, such as spending money to satisfy desires or giving cash without teaching the Dharma, our blessings from merit will quickly deplete, leading to negative karmic results. Conversely, if we know how to use assets to sow good conditions (dependent origination), especially combining material giving with the gift of teachings, our merit does not disappear but grows. This brings lasting benefit to both the giver and the receiver.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang