Buddhist Weddings
FACTS
There is no wedding service in
the Buddhist faith.
Marriage is considered a social and not a religious event.
Marriage is considered a partnership of equals.
Buddhists can marry anyone from any religion.
Being secular a Buddhist wedding ceremony takes place in a registry
office or at one of the Buddhist temples licensed as a legal
venue.
There is no traditional format and it is influenced by the customs
of the country in which it takes place.
Buddhist blessings in a temple after a civil ceremony are common.
Buddhist can marry at any time as long as the registry office
or the temple is open. There are no days on which it is forbidden
to marry.
There are no forms except those required by the law of the country
in which the ceremony is held.
BLESSINGS
Blessings can take place at any time so
long as the venue is convenient.
No notice is required so long as the time is convenient with
the Monk giving the blessing.
No rehearsal is required.
GUESTS
Guests from any religion are welcome to
attend the blessings so long as they respect the traditions
of Buddhist faith. Guests should be aware that they should be
respectful of the traditions and the officials of the temple
and remove their shoes when
entering the shrine room.
CLOTHES
The bride and groom can wear what ever
they choose, so long as it is not too revealing and disrespectful.
BRIDE
Brides normally wear a simple dress.
GROOMS
Grooms normally wear a suit.
THE CEREMONY
The blessings take place in the shrine
room.
The ceremony lasts for half and hour.
Ordained monks chant from Buddhist sacred texts in the Pali
language.
The wedding couple do not participate but just listen and observe.
Confetti is not permitted in the temple grounds.
There is no music or singing other than the monks who chant.
Photography and video is allowed.
RECEPTION
As this is not part of the Buddhist culture,
what takes place after the ceremony is at the discretion of
the bride and groom.
For more information on
Budhist weddings visit the web site-
http://marriage.aryabhatt.com/buddhist_wedding.asp