Buddhist Wedding Ceremony
Like the very religion, Buddhist weddings are very simple and elegant completely based on the faith and believe. The Buddhist weddings are performed in very unique way without any celebration and sound. They are only for the representation of the unity of the bride and groom.
Buddhist wedding is generally performed at the home or temple having licensed for weddings in front of the image of Lord Buddha with reciting chants. The Buddha monks are present on the occasion to give their spiritual blessing for the happy, auspicious and prosperous married life of bride and groom.
The Buddhist wedding ceremony is very beautiful and unique affair. The girl is proposed with gifting her family member a bottle of alcohol and white silk scarf-khada.
The attire
It is basically the white for both bride and groom. The bridal dress is called Bhaku made up of brocade with sleeved blouse of Chinese silk called khichen. The unusual jewelry is worn by her called khau. And groom also wears Bhaku with half sleeves and knee length.
The Rituals before weddings
- Khachang- proposal to the girl with giving her bottle of whisky at her home with the white silk form.
- Nanchang- It is the engagement ceremony or the ring ceremony performed before the actual wedding ceremony.
The wedding ceremony
At early morning the family of groom arrives at temple with many trays having fruits, jewelry for bride, tea, wedding cake, meat. The number of trays is anything leaving seven and eight. Then family of brides enters at the temple.
Then bride and groom lit the candles symbolizing the unification of the bride and groom. Everyone including bride and groom recites the chants form the Vandana, Tisrana and Pancasila before the image of Lord Buddha and specially made shrine.
Flowers are offered to the image of Buddha and red paste is put on the forehead of bride and groom. Gifts are offered to the monks and Lord Buddha.
The water blessing ceremony
Guests pour the water on the hands of bride and groom one after another representing the blessings to the newly wedded bride and groom. There are many slight differentiations in different areas. You can add the functions to the Buddhist wedding ceremony as they are very simple.
The music and food
The meat and alcohol are most common at the Buddhist wedding ceremony. The music again on the personal choice is selected.
Thus Bhuddhist wedding ceremony is the showcase of the simplicity and faith. So even though you are not Buddha, you can go with the Buddhista wedding ceremony for the sake of faith.