Their very actions will perforce undermine their desire. And what
about you? Do you cherish the desire to be together with your wife
above all other wishes?”
Questioner: “I desire nothing more than the fulfillment of
this wish. Wealth and all its trappings, rank, title, royal status,
heavenly bliss, or spiritual attainment – none of these would
mean anything without my wife, who is my one true love. This
is the major focus of every person’s desire, so we must wish for a
loving mate first of all; then other desires can be considered in
due course. That is why I had to ask you about this matter first,
although I was embarrassed and afraid you might scold me. Such
is the reality of the world we live in, though people are often too
shy to speak about it.”
Ãcariya Mun laughed: “That being the case, you have to
take your wife wherever you go, right?”
Questioner: “I’m ashamed to say that it’s really concern
about my wife that has prevented me from ordaining as a monk
all this time. I am worried that she’d be awfully lonely with no
one there to advise and reassure her. My children just bother her
for money to buy things, making a nuisance of themselves all the
time. I don’t see how they can offer her any security or peace of
mind. I can’t help worrying about her.
“There’s another thing I don’t understand. The Dhamma
teaches that the heavenly realms are inhabited by both male and
female devas, much like the human world. Beings there live a bliss-
fully happy existence, enjoying a variety of pleasures that make it
a very inviting place to live. But, unlike here on earth or in the
heavens, it seems that no distinction is made between male and
female beings in the brahma realms. Doesn’t it get kind of lonely
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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