Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

Page 19

BUDDHIST WEDDINGS
Buddhist wedding ceremony is simple and does not consist of any complicated rituals. Buddhist matrimonial customs and traditions are based on faith and not on religion. They basically require both the parties to make a commitment to each other that they will make a sincere effort to create a harmonious relationship.
Buddhist marriage ceremony is conducted in a very simple manner and only close friends and relatives are given invitation to attend it. Usually, it is presided over by the Buddhist lama (priest). Buddhist marriage generally takes place at the bride's residence. All the rites and rituals are followed, which include demanding the price of milk from the bride's mother by the bridegroom's family. After the completion of religious rites, the couple is declared as husband wife. The newlyweds leave for their home either on the same day or the next day.
Whereas in many religions (both Asian and western), marriage is a sacrament and an essential aspect of religious duty, marriage in Buddhism is purely a secular affair. A Buddhist's decision to wed is not affected by or intertwined with a desire to continue the Buddhist faith. Marriage is considered a personal concern; there are no religious directions on whether or not one should marry or remain unwed. There is also no formal wedding service. This does not, however, mean that Buddhist weddings do not have a rich tradition. Throughout the subcontinent, Buddhist communities have assembled creative wedding ceremonies out of Asian and Buddhist rituals. Pre-Wedding Rituals
In the cultural pervasion of religion that all Asia has experienced, many Buddhist weddings are arranged. A wedding broker is normally responsible for the match between bride and groom. He or she will visit families of the area assessing their wealth, health, social status and prospects. When visiting families, the wedding broker can easily suggest a match for their child, having mentally catalogued the available people of the area.
A family will likely take the marriage broker's advice and pay a preliminary visit to the family of the person suggested. The parents of the two families will meet without the children to assess each other's prospect, checking the informational intelligence of the marriage broker. After several more visits, including one with an astrologer, the
moncie couple to be wed will meet and hopefully give the final okay to the wedding.
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