3.6.11   How Can a Couple Meet again for Many Lives?1

 

Thus have I heard. At one time the Bhagavā was staying amongst the Bhaggā, in Crocodile Haunt, in the Deer Park of the Bhesakaḷā Grove. Then, in the forenoon, the Bhagavā, having dressed himself took his bowl and robe and departed for the dwelling of householder Nakulapitā. Having reached there, he sat down on the prepared seat. Then the householder Nakulapitā and the housewife Nakulamātā approached the Bhagavā; and after having payed their respect to the Bhagavā sat down at one side. Sitting at one side, the householder Nakulapitā said this to the Bhagavā:

“Bhante! Ever since the young housewife Nakulamātā was given to me in marriage when I was likewise still young, I am not aware of having wronged her even in thoughts, much less in action. Bhante! We wish to meet each other not only in this life but also in the lives to come.”

Then Nakulamātā, the housewife, also said this to the Bhagavā:

“Bhante! Ever since I was brought to the home of my young husband Nakulapita, while being a young girl myself, I am not aware of having wronged the householder Nakulapita even in thoughts, much less in action.

Bhante! We wish to see each other not only in this very life but also in the lives to come.”

“If householders, both wife and husband, long to meet each other in this life and in the lives to come, they should have matching faith, matching virtue, matching generosity and matching wisdom. Then they will be in one other’s sight so long as this life lasts and in the future lives as well.”

“When both are bountiful and self-controlled,

Living restraint a Dhamma-life

As husband and wife,

Full of pleasant words for each other,

They will encounter good fortune in many ways,

And happy they will dwell together.

Their enemies are saddened,

When both maintain the practise of virtue and morality,

Thus leading a life full of Dhamma,

Matching in sīla and good deeds,

Enjoying heavenly worlds,

They delight thus in the pleasures they are striving for.”

***

1. Paṭhamasamajīvīsuttaṃ: Paṭhama + samajīvī + suttaṃ: First + living together + sutta


Last modified: Thursday, 1 December 2016, 2:21 PM