Love, Marriage & Living in Tune

'People hold dear him who embodies virtue and insight, 

who is principled, has realized the truth, and 

who himself does what he ought to be doing.'

- Dhammapada Verse 217

'Once the Blessed One was staying among the Bhaggas in the Deer Park at Bhesakala Grove, near Crocodile Haunt. Then early in the morning the Blessed One put on his robes and, carrying his bowl and outer robe, went to the home of the householder, Nakula's father. On arrival, he sat down on a seat made ready. Then Nakula's father & Nakula's mother went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As they were sitting there, Nakula's father said to the Blessed One: "Lord, ever since Nakula's mother as a young girl was brought to me [to be my wife] when I was just a young boy, I am not conscious of being unfaithful to her even in mind, much less in body. We want to see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come."

And Nakula's mother said to the Blessed One: "Lord, ever since I as a young girl was brought to Nakula's father [to be his wife] when he was just a young boy, I am not conscious of being unfaithful to him even in mind, much less in body. We want to see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come."

[The Blessed One said:] "If both husband & wife want to see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come, they should be in tune [with each other] in conviction, in tune in virtue, in tune in generosity, and in tune in discernment. Then they will see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come."

Husband & wife, both of them
having conviction,
being responsive,
being restrained,
living by the Dhamma,
addressing each other
with loving words:
they benefit in manifold ways.
To them comes bliss.
Their enemies are dejected
when both are in tune in virtue.
Having followed the Dhamma here in this world,
both in tune in precepts & practices,
they delight in the world of the devas,
enjoying the pleasures they desire.'

- Samajīvī Sutta: Living in Tune AN 4.55

- Source : www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.055.than.html

'A Happy Married Life A Buddhist Perspective'by Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda

'From the Buddhist point of view, marriage is neither holy nor unholy. Buddhism does not regard marriage as a religious duty nor as a sacrament that is ordained in heaven. A cynic has said that while some people believe that marriage is planned in heaven, others say that it is recorded in hell also! Marriage is basically a personal and social obligation, it is not compulsory. Man and woman must have freedom either to get married or to remain single. This does not mean that Buddhism is against marriage. Nobody in this world would say that marriage is bad and there is no religion which is against marriage. ...'

Read in full here ...
www.accesstoinsight.org/l…/authors/dhammananda/marriage.html

'On Love' by Ajahn Jayasāro

'.. It is intelligent to learn about love because
knowing and understanding our own nature is
the only way to the peace and happiness that we
human beings can and should aspire to. The
Buddha teaches us that absolutely everything
on this earth can be a problem for those without
wisdom, but is not a problem for those with
wisdom. So it is with love. When our wisdom
has developed sufficiently, then we can abandon
sadness and practice the joyful side of Dhamma
so that love will do no harm and instead be the
engine that propels our lives to real happiness. ..'

Read in full here ...
https://tisarana.ca/static/books/On_Love_Final.pdf