Etiquette at buddhist weddings

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"Generally speaking, a good wedding speech should sound as if it has been prepared and rehearsed over a long period before the event but the seemingly ..."

Buddhists hold very liberal views of marriage and the ceremony itself is not considered a religious affair. The bride and groom, along with their families, decide on a ceremony that best suits their culture and traditions, rather than relying on standardized etiquette and tradition. A Thai Buddhist wedding differs from a Japanese Buddhist wedding.

1. Location

   • Buddhist shrine

     The legal part of the Buddhist ceremony takes place at home, in the back yard, or a place where civil registration can be completed. After the civil formalities have been dealt with, couples will often receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk in a temple--which involves prayers and giving gifts to the monk--although if the bride and groom are in the Western world, this is not always possible. If not, the ceremony takes place in front of a shrine, bedecked with flowers, candles, and of course, a statue of Buddha.

   What to Wear

   • The bride and groom usually wear embroidered meditation robes. Again, the country and location of the couple determines what is worn. Eastern Buddhists wear outfits reflecting their culture, and the bride and groom in the West may also wear attire typical of their home country. Guests at Buddhist weddings wear anything considered tasteful. Special attention is given to footwear, which must be removed when entering a Buddhist temple. Guests must also remember that, when kneeling or sitting on the floor, showing the soles of your feet to the statue of Buddha is impolite.

   The Ceremony

   • Nuances exist in Buddhist wedding etiquette depending on where in the world you happen to be. Usually, the bride, groom and guests recite Tisarana, Pancasila and the Vandana in either English or Pali, after which lighting incense sticks and offering flowers to the image of Buddha forms the next part of the ceremony. However, all Buddhists use the Sigilovada Sutta as a guide for marriage. "Our Wedding Day: Buddhist Wedding Planning" cites these customary vows: the groom says, &ldquo-Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, present gifts to please her.&rdquo- In reply, the bride says, &ldquo-Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and fastidiously.&rdquo-

   Wedding Feast

   • Typically, an Indian Buddhist wedding serves vegetarian or vegan food. Generally, anything goes--Buddhist wedding etiquette has no hard and fast rules for food, music or dance. The bride and groom choose something that is pertinent to their culture, locale and personal preferences.

   Unusual Customs

   • Buddhist marriage is a lively affair. Traditional etiquette insists that the groom's family arrive with six or nine trays of gifts (seven and eight are unlucky numbers in Buddhism), such as cake, tea, candles and jewelry that the bride wears during the ceremony as a symbol of purity. One of the trays contains two candles ready for lighting at the ceremony by either the couple or their parents as a symbol of the unification of the two families. The groom's family arrive and walk through an entrance adorned with bamboo sticks and flowers, bringing good luck to the couple.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bride groom, Buddhist wedding, their culture, ceremony takes, ceremony takes place, Etiquette buddhist