Ever since BEN AFFLECK made an off-handed comment about marriage being "work" during his 2013 Oscar acceptance speech, the tabloids have been predicting that he and JENNIFER GARNER are headed for divorce. Here's the latest . . . On April 16th, Ben showed up at a convenience store in Canada. And security camera footage shows that he was NOT WEARING HIS WEDDING RING. But eight days later, he was spotted with Jennifer in L.A., and he had it on. So what's going on? The "National Enquirer" says Ben went to Canada to visit a Buddhist monastery because he's, quote, "trying to figure out what he wants out of life, and find a path back to being a good husband." He even left Jennifer to celebrate her April 17th birthday alone. And she can't trust him because he alternates between good behavior and bad . . . whatever that means.

(Check out the ring pics here.)