Wedding customs
The Buddhist views on marriage are very liberal. In Buddhism, marriage is considered as personal and individual concern, and not as a religious duty. Buddhism does not compel a person to be married. It does not force somebody to remain as a bachelor. It is not laid down anywhere that Buddhists must produce children or regulate the number of children that they produce. Buddhism allows each individual the freedom to decide for himself all the issues pertaining to marriage. It might be asked why Buddhist monks do not marry, since there are no laws for or against marriage. The reason is obviously that to be of service to mankind, the monks have chosen a way of life, which includes celibacy.
Marriage Through The Ages
Buddhist marriages have been considered as secular matters in Buddhist countries. The parties took a blessing from monks at the local temple after the civil registration formalities have been completed. Although Buddhist monks do not solemnize a marriage ceremony, they do perform religious services in order to bless the couples. 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.
Buddhist marriages have been considered as secular matters in Buddhist countries. The parties took a blessing from monks at the local temple after the civil registration formalities have been completed. Although Buddhist monks do not solemnize a marriage ceremony, they do perform religious services in order to bless the couples. 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.
Marriage Rituals
Following are a set of fundamental rituals that commonly feature in Buddhist marriage:-
* In front of the shrine of Lord Buddha all set up with candles and flowers, the to-be married couple, the family and the guests would collect. The boy and the girl and others would recite the Tisarana, Pancasila and the Vandana in either English or Pali.
* The boy and the girl are asked to light the candles and incense sticks. Then they offer flowers to the image of Buddha and around it.
* After this the bride and the groom must recite in turn, the vows that are prescribed for each of them in the Sigilovdda Sutta (Digha Nikilya):
* In front of the shrine of Lord Buddha all set up with candles and flowers, the to-be married couple, the family and the guests would collect. The boy and the girl and others would recite the Tisarana, Pancasila and the Vandana in either English or Pali.
* The boy and the girl are asked to light the candles and incense sticks. Then they offer flowers to the image of Buddha and around it.
* After this the bride and the groom must recite in turn, the vows that are prescribed for each of them in the Sigilovdda Sutta (Digha Nikilya):
I wanted to look up what a Buddhist wedding ceremony would be like as I will be attending one soon. I thought it would be better for me to get a better understanding why and how.
No comments:
Post a Comment