Seeing One Another in Future Lives

Monks, if both husband and wife aspire to see one another not only in this present life but also in future lives, they should have the same confidence, the same virtuous behavior, the same generosity, and the same wisdom. Then they will see one another not only in this present life but also in future lives.

Both husband and wife are enriched with confidence, charitable and mentally disciplined, living their lives righteously, addressing each other with pleasant words,

Then many benefits accumulate to them and they reside at ease. Their enemies are saddened when both are the same in virtue (moral conduct).

Having practiced The Teachings here, the same in virtuous behavior and observances, delighting (after death) in a heavenly world, they rejoice, enjoying sensual pleasures.

(Reference: AN 4.55)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how two life partners would see each other in a future life. While in this Teaching it is described through the genders of male and female, this Teaching can be applied to all genders and relationships with two life partners.

The Buddha explains that two life partners who aspire to “see one another not only in this present life but also in future lives, they should have the same confidence, the same virtuous behavior, the same generosity, and the same wisdom. Then they will see one another not only in this present life but also in future lives”.

There are benefits for both life partners in this life as they learn to live with each other in a wholesome way and should they not attain Enlightenment in this life, there is also the benefit of a pleasant rebirth in the heavenly realm where they will see each other in that life. The goal is not to be reborn in the heavenly realm or aspire to see each other in a future life but instead, to attain Enlightenment ending rebirth into any realm of existence.

With both individuals practicing in a way that leads to wholesomeness, it can be predicted that they will progress towards attaining Enlightenment in this life and if rebirth is needed, experience a rebirth in the heavenly realm.

Detailed explanation of The Realms of Existence is available in this same book series found in the book “The Realms of Existence” (Volume 11).