Love: Reunited After Death

Wanting the perfect mate may be a quest for wholeness (humanityhealing.ning.com)

The Buddha was once asked if two people loved each other, could they see one other again after death. [They certainly could. Whether out of love, hate, or other intense sentiment, they are intertwining karma (actions capable of giving rise to a result anytime in the future). But they are not likely to be happy about meeting again and again unless they take the Buddha's advice to be virtuous to heart.]

The Buddha answered that it was indeed possible. The couple who asked had been married for a long time and was overjoyed that the Buddha said it was possible that they would meet again in the "continued wandering on through birth and death" (Samsara). The Buddha stipulated, however, that to do so it was very important the couple who wanted to be together again be mindful of a few things related to karma.

HOW TO BE (RE)UNITED IN FUTURE LIVES
Based on Bhikkhu Bodhi translation*

On one occasion the Buddha was dwelling among the Bhagga people, near Sumsumaragiri, in the Deer Park of the Bhesakala Grove. One morning the Blessed One dressed, took his upper robe and bowl, and went to the home of two householders.

Arriving there, he sat down on the seat prepared for him. Then the householder Nakulapita and the housewife Nakulamata* approached the Blessed One and, after paying homage to him, respectfully sat down to one side. So seated, the householder Nakulapita said to the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, ever since the young housewife Nakulamata was brought home to me, when I too was still young, I am not aware of having wronged her even in my thoughts, still less in my deeds. Our wish is to be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well."

Then Nakulamata the housewife addressed the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, ever since I was taken to the home of my young husband Nakulapita, while being a young girl myself, I am not aware of having wronged him even in my thoughts, still less in my deeds. Our wish is to be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well."

Then the Buddha spoke thus: "If two, householders, wish to be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well, they should have:

• the same faith (saddha)
• the same moral dicipline (sila)
• the same generosity (dana)
• the same wisdom (prajna)

Then they will be in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future life as well."

When both are faithful and generous,
Self-restrained, of righteous living,
They come together again
Full of love for each other.
Many blessings come their way,
They dwell together in happiness,
Their enemies are left dejected,
When both are equal in virtue
Having lived by Dharma, in this world,
The same in virtue and observance,
They rejoice after death in the deva-world,
Enjoying abundant happiness.
(AN 4:55; II 61-62)

*In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses From the Pali Canon (pp.121-122)

**The householder Nakulapita and the housewife Nakulamata were the foremost disciples with regard to their trust in the Buddha. See Nyanaponika and Hecker, Great Disciples of the Buddha, pp. 375-78.