The Significance Of Buddhist Wedding Rituals And Symbols

Last Updated:December 18, 2024, 10:24 IST

Below, we have explored the significant meanings behind the beautiful Buddhist wedding rituals and symbols.

Buddhist

wedding

s are profound celebrations of love, commitment and mutual growth in the serene and spiritual realm of the religion. Steeped in timeless traditions and guided by the principles of compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness, this special day in the Buddhist

couple

’s life focuses on their spiritual connection.Unlike other cultural

wedding

s in India, Buddhist

wedding

s are characterised by their simplicity and lack of pomp. However, each ritual has a significant meaning, like the renowned symbol featuring a Buddha Hand with Ashok Chakra, which embodies the meaning that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.This wedding season, as we delve into the world of Buddhist

wedding

s, here we’ll explore the rituals and symbolism that make these unions so unique and meaningful.

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Buddhist Pre-

Wedding

Rituals

Before jumping into the

wedding

rituals and symbols, let’s take a quick look at the significant pre-

wedding

traditions of Buddhist

wedding

s:

• Matchmaking – The first step of a Buddhist marriage is when the Kikas (horoscopes) of the two people who will be united by the spiritual bond are matched. As per the age-old customs, the initial step is made from the groom’s side.
• Khachang – Once the horoscopes are matched, a friend of the groom’s family approaches the girl’s family with a bottle of wine and an honorary white scarf known as the ‘Khada’. The girl’s family then merrily accept these gifts, and the families agree upon a date of engagement based on the Kikas.

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• Nangchang or Chessian – This refers to the formal engagement ceremony between the to-be-married
  

  couple

  in Buddhist

  

  culture

  . The ceremony is generally presided over by a monk or Rinpoche.

The maternal uncle of the bride’s parents sits on a raised platform with the Rinpoche (monk), who recites a prayer for the

couple

’s happy life together. A sacred beverage named Madyan is served to the guests to toast for the

couple

’s good health.Followed by an exchange of gifts, the final marriage date is set, and the

couple

begins living together in the girl’s house.Buddhist

wedding

ritualsBuddhist

wedding

s are small and private affairs that take place at a temple or at the bride’s home. The bride wears a dress called Bhaku (a full-length sarong) with Hanju (a long-sleeved blouse), a special jacket, and a scarf. The groom wears a Bhaku with Lajha (a waistcoat), a cap, and a sash around the waist. For the religious ceremony at home, a shrine is set up with a statue of Buddha decorated with flowers, candles, and incense sticks.

• Offerings – The
  

  couple

  and their families show their reverence to Buddha by making offerings which include candles, incense, flowers, and food. This symbolises the

  

  couple

  stepping into a prosperous union with the blessing from Buddha.

• Hands tying with a red thread – A monk or elder present ties the
  

  couple

  ’s hands together with a red or white thread, symbolising the

  

  couple

  ’s spiritual and emotional union. This thread also symbolises protection, good fortune, and the connection between two souls.

• Wrapping of white thread around the
  

  couple

  ’s heads – In some Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Buddhists wrap a long white thread around the

  

  couple

  ’s heads to make a joined headpiece, symbolising them as one.

• Pouring of water into a silver bowl – The bride and groom then pour a jug of water into a silver bowl to symbolise their togetherness in the various phases of life.
• Recitation of vows – Before the ceremony, the
  

  couple

  recites traditional undertakings from the Sigilovdda Sutta, the Vandana, the Tisarana, and the Pancasila to each other in front of a shrine.

• Pledges – The bride and groom pledge to each other and make promises to love, respect, be kind, considerate, and faithful, and develop their hearts and minds to see challenges as opportunities for growth in their lives ahead.
• Chanting of holy versus – The
  

  couple

  chants the Heart Sutra, the triple refuge, or Buddhist poetry.

• San San Kudo (Three-Three, Nine Times) – Following this, as per the age-old Japanese tradition, the
  

  couple

  sips sake (an alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice) from three different cups representing the three jewels: the Buddha, Dharma (teachings) and Sangha (community). The

  

  couple

  also, at times, offers sake to their parents.

• Receiving blessings – After the newlyweds exchange vows, they take their parents’ blessings to begin their marital journey. The guests also recite the verses from Mangal Sutta and Jayamangala Gatha while offering blessings to the newlywed
  

  couple

  .

Buddhist Post-

Wedding

Ritual

The newly wedded

couple

leaves the girl’s paternal home on a date determined by kikas, generally between the first and tenth day of the

wedding

. In many

culture

s, folk songs and dance become part of the celebrations, symbolising the merry union between two souls and their families.