"Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea"
- John Paul Young
Indeed, as Valentine's Day is just a month away I have people
around me falling in love.
Within the teachings of Abrahamical faiths like Christianity, Islam
and Judaism, the Almighty God decides over a person's destiny. Who
he would love, who he would be loved and who he would marry is
decided by God alone and no one can defy His laws.
Your true love is created and decided by God.
That's where the term, 'Match-Made-In-Heaven' probably originates
from.
In Buddhism, the concept of an 'Almighty Supreme Being' and His
interference into our daily life does not apply. However, there is
indeed such a thing in Buddhism that I have aptly termed,
'Match-Made-By-Kamma'.
Most living beings, especially evident within the human race have
an individual, usually from the opposite sex with whom they
maintained an intimate and personal relationship. Such a
relationship with the kammic seeds being cultivated can span
countless of lifetimes. Life after life, individuals come together
to renew and reconnect their relationships, assisting each other in
life and in the development of spiritual cultivation. Such devoted
companions are integral and essential to one's quest for perfection
and to become a fully-enlightened being - a Buddha.
To cite a story, long before the advent of our Lord Sakyamuni
Buddha in a past aeon of the world, there is an earlier Buddha
known as Dipankara. At that time was a young forest-dwelling
ascetic known as Sumedha. When Sumedha knew that Dipankara Buddha
was crossing the area, he immediately took upon the task to prepare
a smooth road for the Buddha to cross. Sumedha was still in the
midst of preparing when Dipankara Buddha arrived. Full of devotion,
Sumedha prostrated himself into a muddy hollow for the Buddha to
cross smoothly and made a vow to become a Buddha himself in the
future.
At the same time, a young lady known as Sumitta stepped forward
joyously, bearing incense and fresh flowers to congratulate the
young ascetic. However, Sumedha immediately rejected her support,
affirming that he was a forest-dwelling ascetic and wanted to live
alone. Dipankara Buddha witnessing the entire episode step forward
to cautioned the young ascetic Sumedha. He announced that the young
ascetic would one day become a fully-enlightened being but he also
told Sumedha that for every aspirant to Buddhahood had a spiritual
companion who was his inseparable partner throughout the long,
arduous quest for spiritual perfection. The lady Sumitta was his
spiritual companion.
And through many lifetimes, this couple had to go through many
obstacles as they strive for the benefits of all beings and their
spiritual cultivation together. There are many stories in the
Jataka where one can find tales about this special couple and the
unwavering love and support both has for each other.
Finally in our world 2,500 years ago, the young ascetic Sumedha,
reborn as Prince Siddhartha achieved perfection and became the
fully-enlightened Buddha. The lady Sumitta, reborn as Princess
Yasodhara attained arhanthood.
This idea of 'match-made-by-kamma' can be further cemented within
the Anguttara Nikaya (The Numerical Discourses). There was a
layperson Nakulapita who together with his wife, Nakulamata
expressed their wishes to the Buddha to be reborn repeatedly as
companions.
The Buddha on hearing those words replied, "If man and wife, who
are leading a harmonious life, wish to be together in the next
existences, they should have the same faith, the same morality, the
same liberality and the same level of knowledge. Then they will be
in one another's sight so long as this life lasts and in the future
life as well."
He added on further, "When both are faithful and bountiful,
self-restrained, of a righteous living. They come together as
husband and wife, full of love for each other."
These examples may shock many as Buddhism is often seemed as
hardlined teachings against marriage, love commitments and lay
life.
In fact, the Buddha was so often full of praises for happy and
virtuous couples during His time!
So have you found your 'Match-Made-By-Kamma' yet?
If not, take your time.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
- Samadi