Example - Nakulapita and Nakulamata At the time of the Buddha, there lived a wealthy man, Nakulapita and his wife, Nakulamata. They had been together for many existences. They had become Sotapannas (Stream-winners) since they first paid homage to the Buddha. This couple had been the parents, or elder uncle and aunt or uncle and aunt of the Bodhisatta in many previous existences. They were very fond of the Buddha as though he was their own son and were so intimate with him that they asked him any question. Once the wealthy man said: "Venerable Sir, I took Nakulamata as my wife since my youth. Since then I had not even thought of infidelity, let alone actually doing it. I had always wanted to be in the presence of Nakulamata in the present life and I always want to be so throughout the cycle of birth and rebirth, samsara. On hearing the words of Nakulapita, his wife also said frankly, "Venerable Sir, I came to his house since my youth. Since then I had not thought of anyone else. I had always wanted to be with him in the present life; and I always want to be with him throughout the samsara" The Buddha said- "If man and wife, who are leading a harmonious life, wish to be together in the next existences, they should have the same faith (saddha) the same morality, Precepts, the same liberality, caga and the same level of knowledge, panna". As the husband has pure faith, just so the wife should have the same. As he has pure morality, just so she should have. If one of them wishes to give charity, the other must comply. If she donates, he should encourage her. If he donates, she should be delighted. Their wisdom and knowledge must be the same too. "In the human abode, if husband and wife are in harmony and willing to be together, if they have the same liberality, morality, faith and confidence, they will be together in samsara like glorious devas and devis who are together in the heavenly abodes all along the cycle of rebirths." Note on the Story The two had already become Stream-winners (Sotapannas), and should consider for themselves first. As they loved each other sincerely enough, they did not think of being unfaithful. As their minds were, so pure they held each other in high esteem and did not want to be separated from each other. They always wanted to be together in samsara. Although such a wish to be together is based on greed, of these virtuous noble people would bind them to each other, and all their meritorious actions would lead them to a good destination.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 02:55:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015