How to see each other in future lives (sutra)

Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Samajivina Sutta (AN 4.55, PTS: A ii 61) based on G.P. Malalasekera (Pali Proper Names), Ven. Thanissaro (trans.), Wisdom Quarterly

Samajivina Sutra: Living in Harmony

The key is a couple's karma.

Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living among the Bhaggas in the Deer Park in Bhesakala Grove near the Crocodile's Haunt.

Early one morning he dressed and, with robe and bowl in hand, went to the home of Nakula's parents.*

When he arrived he sat on a seat prepared for him. And Nakula-pitā (Nakula's father) and Nakula-mātā (Nakula's mother) greeted him. And sitting respectfully to one side, these householders asked him a question about staying together:

I feel like I've met you before. - Me, too. (Godward)

"Venerable sir," Nakula's father said, "ever since Nakula's mother was brought to me as a girl [to be promised in future marriage by her parents], when I was just a boy, I'm not aware of being unfaithful to her -- not in body, not even in thought. We want to see one another here and hereafter [in the afterlife of future lives]."

"Venerable sir," Nakula's mother added, "ever since I was brought to Nakula's father as a girl, when he was just a boy, I'm not aware of being unfaithful to him -- not in body, not even in thought. We want to see one another here and hereafter [in this cycle of countless rebirths]."

[The Buddha explained:] "If a couple want to see one another in this life and in the life to come [which constitutes many future lives in the long course of samsara], they should be in harmony in terms of:

1. confidence (faith)
2. virtue (morality)
3. generosity (detachment)
4. wisdom (insight).

"Then they will see one another not only in this life but also in the life to come [and many future lives]."

Husband and wife in harmony,

confident

constrained

letting go

living by Dharma

addressing one another

with words of affection,

They benefit in manifold ways.

They experience bliss.

Their enemies are dejected

when they are in harmony in virtue.

Having followed Dharma in this world,

in harmony in precepts and practices,

They then delight in the world of the devas,

enjoying what pleasures they desire.

*Nakula's parents: the happy couple

Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia (S. Fred Starr)

Husband and wife, Nakulapitā and Nakulamātā, were householders in Sumsumāragiri in the Bhagga territory. When the Buddha visited their village he stayed in Bhesakalā Grove, and they went to see him.

They immediately fell at his feet, calling him "son" and asking why he had been away for so long.

The wandering ascetics accompanying the Buddha were shocked. But he explained that they had been the Bodhisatta's parents for many (500 is the literal number expressing the figurative many) past lives and that they had been his close relatives for many more.

The Buddha taught them, and they understood and became stream winners (entering the first stage of enlightenment).

The Buddha visited their village once more when they were old, which seems the occasion of the Samajivina Sutra. They entertained him, speaking of their devotion to one another in this life and asking for a teaching which could keep them likewise together in the afterlife (of many future rebirths).

The Buddha referred to this in the assembly of the Sangha, the Monastic Community, declaring the couple the most intimate of companions (vissāsikā) among his disciples (A.I.26, A.II.61f, AA.i.216f, 246; ii.514; SA.ii.182).

Life after life. Maybe we should give it a rest.

Once, when Nakulapitā lay grievously ill, his wife noticed that he was fretful with anxiety. She assured him that there was no need for him to be anxious, either on behalf of her or their children.

She spoke with such conviction (faith) that Nakulapitā regained his mental composure and grew well.

Later he visited the Buddha and related what had happened. He was congratulated by the Buddha on having such an excellent wife (A.III.295ff).

The Samayutta Nikaya (S.3.1, S.4.116; A.IV.268) contains records of conversations between Nakulapitā and the Buddha. Both husband and wife are mentioned in lists of eminent disciples (A.iii.465; A.iv.348).

It is said that Nakulapitā's desire for this special distinction was first conceived in the time of Padamuttara Buddha. He was then a householder in Hamsavati, and he was present at an assembly where that buddha declared someone to be chief among vissāsikas (A.I.216).