Equality (1st)
The Buddha is staying in the land of the Bhaggas and visits the home of the householder Nakula’s father. He and his wife, Nakula’s mother, each tell the Buddha that since they were married young they cannot recall betraying the other even in thought, and that they want to see each other in this life and the next. The Buddha replies that if a wife and husband want that, they should be equals in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom. A short verse describes such a couple: they speak kindly to each other, their needs are met, they live at ease, and their enemies are downhearted.
A note on this text. The couple’s wish, and the closing verse, concern meeting again in the next life and delighting in a heavenly realm.
The full text
Numbered Discourses 4.55 · 6. Overflowing Merit · Equality (1st) · translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 1 min · on SuttaCentral
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the householder Nakula’s father, where he sat down on the seat spread out. Then the householder Nakula’s father and the housewife Nakula’s mother went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Nakula’s father said to the Buddha,
“Sir, ever since we were both young, and Nakula’s mother was given to me in marriage, I can’t recall betraying her even in thought, still less in deed. We want to see each other in both this life and the next.” Then Nakula’s mother said to the Buddha, “Sir, ever since we were both young, and I was given in marriage to Nakula’s father, I can’t recall betraying him even in thought, still less in deed. We want to see each other in both this life and the next.”
Explained: Equals in four things
“Householders, if wife and husband want to see each other in both this life and the next, they should be equals in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom.
When both are faithful and bountiful,disciplined, living righteously,then wife and husbandsay nice things to each other.
Their needs are amply satisfied,so they live at ease.Their enemies are downhearted,when both are equal in ethics.
Having practiced the teaching here,both equal in precepts and observances,they delight in the heavenly realm,enjoying all the pleasures they desire.”