The title is The Intoxication of the Women.

This story recounts how a group of women from Shravasti, having accumulated karma by pouring wine for their husbands, suddenly became addicted to alcohol. Their drunkenness led them to disrupt the Buddha’s monastery, compelling Him to use supernatural powers to save them.

The atmosphere in Lady Visakha’s private quarters that afternoon was unusually heavy. These noblewomen, accustomed to silk and incense, now looked pale with trembling hands. One woman, her hand shaking, raised a cup of wine, drank it in one long gulp, and exhaled with wild eyes. “Just a little… just a little to ease the longing,” she whispered, but everyone knew it was a lie. The addiction had seeped into their flesh and blood without them realizing when it began.

The story started during festival days. The husbands loved wine, so their gentle wives had to pour drinks for them themselves. Year after year, their hands grew accustomed to lifting cups and filling glasses. They poured with all sincerity, hoping their husbands would be happy and their families peaceful. But cause and effect (karmic law) operates silently: whoever wishes something for others will eventually receive it themselves. And so, one day, the women found themselves craving wine. The craving was intense, persistent, and impossible to resist. They secretly drank together, fearing their husbands’ knowledge and society’s judgment. But once the wine took hold, control was lost: rice remained uncooked, clothes were not washed clean, household items broke, and their speech slurred. The husbands flew into rages, beating and scolding them. Lady Visakha, the leader of this group of nearly a hundred friends, watched her sisters suffer in pain.

One day, Lady Visakha had an idea: “Perhaps we should go to Jetavana Monastery and ask the Buddha for guidance. Surely He can help us escape this addiction.” The women rejoiced, yet deep down they still lingered over the taste of wine. They conspired: “Let us sneak some wine along and drink while waiting to see the Buddha. Our husbands won’t know; they will even be glad we are going to the temple.” When the husbands heard their wives asking to visit the Buddha with Lady Visakha, a renowned female devotee, they happily agreed without suspicion.

The large group entered the monastery. The scene was pure, with faint fragrances and distant chanting. But the women’s minds were unsettled. While waiting for the Buddha, they secretly pulled out their flask and drank greedily. One cup, then two, then three… The strong wine took effect quickly. By the time the Buddha emerged, the women were already tipsy. He sat calmly on His seat, preparing to give a dharma talk. But the women were no longer sober enough to listen. One woman stood up abruptly, face flushed red, pointing at the Buddha: “What are you saying? I cannot hear clearly! Let me speak instead!” She began preaching nonsense, her words confused. Another woman started singing in a shrill, lifeless voice. Bored of singing, she began to dance, her garments slipping off her shoulders, revealing herself indecently. The entire assembly fell into chaos. Mara, who always lurks nearby, saw the vulnerability in their minds and possessed them. The women suddenly became frenzied, cursing and slandering the Three Jewels, smashing objects, determined to destroy the teaching session.

The Buddha looked upon the chaotic scene. His heart held no anger, only compassion. But Mara had pressed too far; tolerance was no longer possible. He manifested supernatural power: from the white hair between His eyebrows, a dazzling beam of light shot forth, enveloping heaven and earth, darkening the space. The women trembled in fear. The Buddha rose into the sky, His radiance illuminating the entire thousand-world universe, accompanied by thunderous echoes. Overwhelmed by this power, Mara retreated. The women suddenly sobered up, their minds becoming clear. Looking back at what they had done, they felt shame and wept uncontrollably. The Buddha returned to His seat and gently admonished them: “Why do you rejoice when life is burning? Why do you not seek a lamp when darkness covers you?”

From that day on, the women never touched wine again. They practiced diligently and became exemplary female devotees. Lady Visakha intensified her efforts, using her reputation to advise everyone to avoid alcohol and sensual indulgence. The story of the women’s intoxication spread throughout Shravasti as a profound warning about the karmic consequences of forcing others to drink and the dangers of alcoholic delusion.

The Meaning of the Story

This story teaches us about the subtle law of cause and effect (karmic law): whatever we wish for others, we will eventually experience ourselves. The wives poured wine for their husbands with the intention that they would drink, so the karmic result was that they themselves became addicted. Alcohol clouds the mind, creating opportunities for Mara and negative forces to exploit, leading to actions that damage merit and cause destruction. Therefore, the Buddha taught us to maintain mindfulness, stay away from alcohol and things that cause intoxication, and return to the lamp of wisdom.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang