Buddhist Wedding Rituals

Celebrating the auspicious occasion in this religion is traditional ceremony and an integral part of its culture. A typical ceremony is broken up into two parts: A Buddhist component and a non-Buddhist component. First one includes the recitation of prayers and the offering of food and other gifts to monks and images of the Buddha. The second one is rooted in folk traditions, followed by the couple's family.

In early times, it was unknown for monks to be present at the actual ceremony. Since monks are required to be present at funerals, their presence at a marriage which is an occasion for fertility was considered a bad omen. Such occasions are usually conducted in a temple. These days monks are present at the ceremony but depart for lunch immediately after the ceremony.

The couple first takes a bow in front of the Buddha. They recite certain Buddhist prayers and chants and light incense and candles before the image of the Buddha. The parents of the couple then place a loop of string on their heads to basically connect them. Once they are connected the couple will make offerings of food, flowers, and medicine to the monks present. Cash gifts put in a temple may also be made to the temple.

The priests then place a thread on the heads of the present monks. Recitations in Pali are made to invoke blessings and good wishes for the couple. The string is connected to a container that will be sanctified for the ceremony. Merit is supposed to travel through the string and touch the water. These occasions have elaborate procedures keeping in view with religious tenets.

A red paste is created and a small portion is applied to the forehead of the bride and the bridegroom. This is similar to what is done at Hindu traditions. The bride's mark is done with the butt of a candle keeping in with the tradition of not touching women. These events in recent times have cut down on the elaborate ceremonies involved. Monks also have a greater role as compared to earlier times when they were forbidden. The twin forces of modernity and scientific knowledge have made their influence on such happenings as well.