Originally posted by Spnw07:
Questions about
marriage:
1) Is Buddhism against marriage or for marriage? My personal and
limited understanding so far is that Buddhism neither encourages or
discourages marriage among male and female or among the same
sex.
That's right. Marriage is an individual choice. Furthermore,
marriage is a very cultural thing. It differs from culture to
culture. Buddha doesn't speak so much on these things. As for same
sex marriage, this is another topic. Though Buddha never spoke
about marriages, I do not think he encourages this. But we do not
discriminate them.
2) As a buddhist, should I tell myself not to get married cos I
will be subjecting myself to another endless cycle of rebirth due
to lust or craving?
No. It is really your choice. You can get married. But of
course, you must continue to practice the dharma. Unless you want
to be a monk, then you shouldn't get married.
3) As a buddhist, is it preferable to choose a future partner of
the same faith, so that one, we can agree and practise together on
many common aspects of the faith; two, we can help each other to
prepare a proper Buddhist funeral when either one passes away?
Ideally, yes. But if you all can maintain harmony inspite of
religious difference, then it is good. There are lots of families
with differences in religious views but they also live
harmoniously. It all depends.
Please read: http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol6no3c.htm
