Although wedding ceremonies
have always been regarded as secular affairs in Buddhist countries,
the parties concerned have nevertheless obtained the blessing
from monks at the local temple after the civil registration
formalities have been completed.
In view of the traditional
importance that the marriage ceremony has in the West, moreover,
local, and especially isolated Buddhists without access to a
temple or a monk might well adopt the following service that
could be performed by relatives and friends of the bride and
groom:
(i) Before a shrine
specially erected, complete with a Buddha image, candles
and flowers, the bridal couple and assembly should recite the
Vandana, Tisarana and Pancasila in English or
Pali to be found in the Pali Chanting,
with English translations
(ii) The couple should
light the candles and incense sticks and offer the flowers placing
them on and around the table on which stands the image.
(iii) The bride and
groom should then, in turn, recite the traditional undertakings
expected of them as found in the Sigilovdda Sutta (Digha
Nikilya 3 1)
The bridegroom:
"Towards my
wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate,
be faithful, delegate domestic management, provide gifts to
please her."
The bride:
"Towards my husband
I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable
to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect
and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly
and conscientiously."
(iv)
Finally, the assembly or perhaps the parents only, should recite
the Mangala Sutta and Jayamangala Gatha as a blessing.
