The Solitary Pillar

**Summary:** A master enters a luxurious home, notices a single pillar standing alone in the space, and immediately knows the family will face the separation of husband and wife.

That afternoon, sunlight slanted through the large glass door, casting long, bright streaks across the tiled floor. The three-story mansion sat amid a spacious garden, its path lined with lush green grass and vibrant red roses. The homeowner, a successful businessman, had invited the master to assess the feng shui of his newly purchased house. He proudly led the master through every room, from the spacious living room with its white leather sofa to the elegant dining area illuminated by a sparkling crystal chandelier.

But upon entering the living room, the master stopped. He stood still, his gaze fixed on a single pillar standing in the center of the room. The concrete pillar was painted white, large and sturdy, supporting the long horizontal beam above. Yet it stood alone, solitary, with no corresponding pillar on the opposite side. The room was wide with a high ceiling, but having only one pillar looked strange and imbalanced.

The master sighed and shook his head slightly. He said nothing about the pillar, asking only a few casual questions about the house's orientation, the kitchen, and the bedrooms. The homeowner enthusiastically explained, "The architect said that pillar had to be there for structural support, otherwise the beam wouldn't hold. But it does look a bit odd, doesn't it, Master?"

The master smiled faintly without replying. He only said, "This house is beautiful, prosperous, and the children are well-behaved. But... well, we can consider other matters later."

The homeowner looked puzzled, not understanding. He asked, "What do you mean, Master? Is there a problem?"

The master looked him straight in the eyes, his voice low. "This pillar is an omen. In a family, there are usually two pillars, two supports. Here there is only one, meaning... the husband and wife will not walk together to the end of the road. One will leave first, leaving the other to bear the burden alone."

The homeowner’s face turned pale. "What strange things are you saying? My wife and I are very happy; nothing has ever gone wrong."

The master simply remained silent, saying nothing more. He walked to the door, leaving the man standing frozen in the middle of the living room, his heart heavy as he gazed at the solitary white pillar.

Three years later, the wife suddenly passed away in a traffic accident. The homeowner sat alone in the spacious room, looking at the white pillar as tears rolled down his cheeks. Only then did he fully understand the meaning of the master's words from that day.

**The Meaning of the Story**

Intuition is the ability to perceive truth through very small details, seemingly insignificant, without needing much data or complex reasoning. The solitary pillar is not merely an architectural detail; it is a sign of imbalance within the family. A person with keen intuition can read the hidden messages within forms and spaces, foreseeing destiny.

*Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang.*