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Sample Weddings
Beach Weddings
Multiple Elements
Non-denominational Christian
Unitarian Universalist
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Civil / Non-Religious
A Celtic Flavour
Buddhist
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Native American
New Year's Theme
Symbolic Ceremony
Commitment Service
Spanish
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 The
Buddha considered marriage to be a social relationship rather than a
religious sacrament, so consequently there are no prescriptions for
the wedding ceremony in Buddhist scripture. There are apparently
vows that can be used that come from the Sigilovdda Sutta,
but in my opinion they are not terribly relevant or practical for a
modern partnership.
Neither has Buddhism as a religion developed any rules or
regulations regarding weddings throughout the centuries. Buddhist
weddings around the world reflect the indigenous culture in which
they are being performed rather than consist of traditions and
practices specific to any school of Buddhist religious instruction.
That being said, there are indeed ways you can incorporate
your Buddhist spirituality into your wedding ceremony thereby
creating a Buddhist wedding.
The following is written for a Buddhist couple in contemporary
American society and should not be considered "the" Buddhist wedding
ceremony.
Sample Buddhist Ceremony
This wedding assumes the presence of a table upon which a
statue of Buddha resides and around which a marriage altar is
assembled.
Presentation of the Couple
Do you come here this day with the intent to pledge yourselves in
a sincere effort to create a harmonious relationship until death you
do part?
We do.
Opening Words and Preparation of the Altar
We gather this day to bear witness to the marriage vows
(Bride) and
(Groom) make to one another. We have been invited here
because of our regard for them and their regard for us.
(Bride) and
(Groom) have already made an internal bond in their hearts
which today they proclaim for all to acknowledge and respect.
At this time I invite_____ and _____ (family representatives) to
come forward and light these two candles representing the bride and
groom's families.
Will _____ (person of bride's choosing) please come place the
flowers before the candles?
Will _____ (person of groom's choosing) please come light the
incense?
We pray for
compassion and supreme inner peace
May we love all beings without exception finding wisdom in
the Buddha's teaching.
May we speak
words of loving kindness.
May we be well
and seek to nourish rather than deplete.
May we be lamps
to illumine the darkness.
May all be
fulfilled with joy and a happy spirit.
Exchange of Gifts
The bride presents the groom with a tray containing three items:
incense, wine, fruit, tea, cake, meat, flowers, grain or jewelry.
The groom accepts the items and places them on the altar.
The groom presents the bride with a tray containing three items:
incense, wine, fruit, tea, cake, meat, flowers, grain or jewelry.
The bride accepts the items and places them on the altar.
Reading
A reading from The Buddha's sermon at Rajagaha; verses 19-22
Do not deceive, do not despise each other anywhere. Do not be
angry nor bear secret resentments; for as a mother will risk her
life and watches over her child, so boundless be your love to all,
so tender, kind and mild. Cherish good will right and left, early
and late, and without hindrance, without stint, be free of hate and
envy, while standing and walking and sitting down, whatever you have
in mind, the rule of life that is always best is to be loving-kind.
Gifts are great, founding temples is meritorious, meditations and
religious exercises pacify the heart, comprehension of the truth
leads to Nirvana, but greater than all is loving kindness. As the
light of the moon is sixteen times stronger than the light of all
the stars, so loving kindness is sixteen times more efficacious in
liberating the heart than all other religious accomplishments taken
together.
Exchange of Vows
(Bride) and
(Groom), do you pledge to help each other develop and
strengthen your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion,
enthusiasm, patience, concentration and wisdom as you encounter the
inevitable changes, expected and unexpected, welcome and unwelcome
in your journey through life together?
We do.
Please turn to one another, join hands and in so doing join your
hearts. (Bride), please repeat after me as you look in (Groom's)
eyes.
I, (Bride)
pledge to be true to my
self,
to cultivate virtuous
thoughts and deeds
and support you in doing
the same.
I vow to be gracious and
grateful,
compassionate and
forgiving.
I will trust in you and
trust in all being.
I recognize the
interconnectedness of all
existence
and the special nature of
our union.
I vow to grow with you in
the dharma.
(Groom), please repeat after
me as you look in (Bride's)
eyes.
I, (Groom)
pledge to be true to my
self,
to cultivate virtuous
thoughts and deeds
and support you in doing
the same.
I vow to be gracious and
grateful,
compassionate and
forgiving.
I will trust in you and
trust in all being.
I recognize the
interconnectedness of all
existence
and the special nature of
our union.
I vow to grow with you in
the dharma.
Blessing of the Rings
The circle is a natural
symbol of eternity as it has
no beginning and no end. We
place the ring on the left
hand because it constitutes
a direct path to the heart,
a traditional metaphor for
love and devotion. It's
presence reminds us of the
vows we have made and their
relationship to the
emotional seat of the heart.
We ask that these rings that
will forever grace the hands
of (Bride) and (Groom) be
blessed. May they reside on
the hands of the lover, the
caregiver, the companion and
the guide. May (Bride) and
(Groom) wear these rings as
a symbol of their unity.
Exchange of Rings
(Groom), please place the
ring on (Bride's) left hand.
(Bride), please place the
ring on (Groom's) left hand.
Do you accept the gifts of
these rings as a reminder to
always strive to remember
your own Buddha nature and
the Buddha nature of all
living beings? Do you accept
them as tokens of the
responsibility to remain
aware that all things are
temporary, but through
diligence and optimism you
can create a relationship
with the utmost potential
for lasting happiness?
We do.
The Reading of the
Mangala Sutta
At this time I invite _____ (person special to the Bride
and Groom) to come forward to read the Mangala Sutta.
Thus have I heard.On one occasion the Exalted One was
dwelling at Anathapindika's monastery, in Jeta's Grove,
near Savatthi. Now when the night was far spent, a
certain deity whose surpassing splendor illuminated the
entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted
One and, drawing near, respectfully saluted him and
stood at one side. Standing thus, he addressed the
Exalted One in verse:
"Many deities and men, yearning after good, have
pondered on blessings. Pray, tell me the greatest
blessing!" [The Buddha:]
"Not to associate with the foolish, but to
associate with the wise; and to honor those who are
worthy of honor — this is the greatest blessing.
To reside in a suitable locality, to have done
meritorious actions in the past and to set oneself
in the right course— this is the greatest blessing.
To have much learning, to be skillful in
handicraft, well-trained in discipline, and to be of
good speech — this is the greatest blessing.
To support mother and father, to cherish wife and
children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupation —
this is the greatest blessing.
To be generous in giving, to be righteous in
conduct, to help one's relatives, and to be
blameless in action — this is the greatest blessing.
To loathe more evil and abstain from it, to
refrain from intoxicants, and to be steadfast in
virtue — this is the greatest blessing.
To be respectful, humble, contented and grateful;
and to listen to the Dhamma on due occasions — this
is the greatest blessing.
To be patient and obedient, to associate with
monks and to have religious discussions on due
occasions — this is the greatest blessing.
Self-restraint, a holy and chaste life, the
perception of the Noble Truths and the realisation
of Nibbana — this is the greatest blessing.
A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from
sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear
liberated — this is the greatest blessing.
Those who
thus abide, ever remain invincible, in happiness
established. These are the greatest blessings."
(While
the Mangala Sutta is being read, the Bride and Groom
join hands and circle the altar eight times
representing the Noble Eightfold Path)
Declaration of
Marriage
In accord with the laws
of the state of Florida, it is my joy and honor to pronounce (Bride)
and (Groom) are husband and wife. You may seal your marriage with a
kiss.
Beach Weddings • Multiple Elements • Non-denominational Christian • Unitarian Universalist • Contemporary Jewish • Civil / Non-Religious • A Celtic Flavour • Buddhist • African American • Native American • New Year's Theme • Symbolic Ceremony • Commitment Service • Spanish |
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Buddhist