Has anybody witnessed a real life Buddhist wedding before?

Spnw07 SG

I can't help wondering if there is a real life Buddhist wedding ceremony in the first place, in Singapore to start with.

We know quite a lot about Christian church weddings and ballroom dinners through television, friends and family. It has already become common sense to most of us, even if you are a free-thinker or a Buddhist.

But has anyone ever witnessed a Buddhist wedding held in a temple or Buddhist organisation? Has anybody attended a Buddhist wedding ballroom dinner before, where at least the VIP tables are served only with vegetarian food?

What is a Buddist wedding like? Is it officated by a member of the monastic order?

It would help for members of the public to know more about the real-life aspects of Buddhism for its layman followers. After all, not all intend to become celibate or enter the monastic order.

If such ceremonies are filmed and produced into DVD or Vcds, I'm sure it would help members of the public to have a better understanding of Buddhism in terms of how it views marriages rather than the very neutral and bland way of saying that it's neither for marriage nor against marriage.

I hope that Buddhism can enter into the lives of people who are willing to believe in it, not necessarily having to become Buddhists first.

For example, a person may believe in Buddhism, but has not or does not want to take refuge in the Triple Gems yet, but he likes the idea of Buddhist wedding rites and decides to go through with it, why, it is a joy for all Buddhists isn't it?

justdoit77 SG

I saw one during vesak day last time in Fu Hai Temple.
The marrying couple still look the same as other marrying couple, just that they received blessings from the triple gems.

An Eternal Now SG

Yes there is and there are those in my Buddhist organisation who hold Buddhist weddings like that.

But I have not personally attended or witnessed.

Spnw07 SG

Hmm, so buddhist weddings are not that common from the above two posts.

bohiruci SG

Buddhist wedding is held in Temple .There is some held in the Buddhist library

the ceremony is the same ,exchange of ring and then prostrate to the Buddha

nothing different .

even the signing of marriage cert is no difference from the normal ROM centre

mudkipz SG

like u didnt already know

justdoit77 SG

In other country, probably is different.

someone in this forum is getting married soon, maybe he can ask you to come and see the ceremony.

Spnw07 SG

Wo, I would like to if invited.

Spnw07 SG

But the marriage vows should be a little different. Christian prayers are said by the officiating Reverend which says that they are married in holy matrimony and should stay with each other till death do them part. Something like that.

What Buddhist prayers or verses are said during a Buddhist wedding ceremony?

coolbluewater SG

Just a real life experience that happened last thursday, where I held my solemnisation in a monastery. I'm not exactly sure if you consider this as a wedding, but definitely, in the eyes of law, after this day, you have resigned from the bachelor/spinster club.

As the solmenisation is done outside ROM, so we could pretty much decide what we want to do, including writing our own wedding vow. Of course, some things are legal standard which has to be included.

The sequence is as follows :

Offerings to Buddha
Prayer for Turning Our Minds Towards Dharma
Recitation of 4 Immeasurable
Solemnisation
Bride and Grooms Aspiration Vow
Exchange Rings (without KISS)
Recitation of Aspiration of Shantideva
Dedication of Merit
Pronouncement of Marriage

Whole session took around 45 mins and pretty much short but meaningful ceremony for me and my wife.

Spnw07 SG

As the solmenisation is done outside ROM, so we could pretty much decide what we want to do, including writing our own wedding vow. Of course, some things are legal standard which has to be included.

The sequence is as follows :

It's definitely a Buddhist wedding solemnisation. Wedding itself has many parts; solemnisation, offering tea to parents and elders and wedding dinner in general.

Well, I wonder if I can hold a wedding solemnisation like yours, it would be nice though if I and my wife don't have to recite the 4 immeasurable and recitation and aspiration of shantideva (寂天).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantideva

Thanks for sharing me with about your wedding. It seems that most down here are singles and it's hard to really read about a real-life account.

Congrats on your wedding, coolbluewater!

May both you and your wife live happily till death do you part, with the blessings and guidance of the Triple Gems!

Sadhu, sadhu, Amituofo! ^_^

cycle SG

Hi coolbluewater,

Congratulations to you on your wedding! May you and your wife start a happy Buddhist family!

coolbluewater SG

You can decide on how you want to hold your solemnisation, but all these must be communicated to the solemniser if you need him/her to help conduct the prayer session. But that's one advantage of doing your solemnisation outside ROM, that is you can organise it in whichever way you want.

As for the actual day wedding, I'm planning to incorporate some buddhist rituals, like inviting a blessing to both of us (fingers crossed) by a sangha memmber. The rest like tea ceremonies will be as per normal, but dinner will definitely be vegetarian food. Maybe the rest of the brothers and sisters in this forum can help give ideas on how I should do my actual day wedding to make it meaningful and fun.

If you need more info about solemnisation, can always pm me.

798 SG

As the solmenisation is done outside ROM, so we could pretty much decide what we want to do, including writing our own wedding vow. Of course, some things are legal standard which has to be included.

The sequence is as follows :

thanks for sharing, n congrats to u.

bohiruci SG

If you need more info about solemnisation, can always pm me.

Send me a wedding invitation card ,thanks

Spnw07 SG

If you need more info about solemnisation, can always pm me.

Hmm..if only I knew you long ago, I would be able to witness everything with my own eyes. :^_^

Ideas on making the actual day wedding meaningful and fun? Well, I wish I could help, but I'm a boring person in real-life, so don't want to spoil the mood by giving you lousy ideas.

I think the invitation of a sangha member to bless both of you and a totally vegetarian dinner (for all tables, right?) are one of those best things for me should I marry a Buddhist wife.

Take care, may your married life be full of bliss and joy and your faith in the Triple Gems be your guide and support in leading a happy life with your wife.

All the best. ^_^