Buddhist wedding traditions
Buddhism does not treat marriage as a sacrament, and the Buddha did not prescribe a wedding rite.
Buddhism does not treat marriage as a sacrament, and the Buddha did not prescribe a wedding rite. Monks do not usually conduct the legal marriage. Even so, Buddhist families across Asia bring monks and blessings into the day, and each country has its own form shaped by local custom.
Blessings, not a sacrament
In Thailand and Cambodia, monks chant paritta verses and accept alms, and the couple pour water on the ground or on a monk's hand to share merit. The sai monkhon, a sacred thread, is draped over the couple's heads or tied around their wrists. In Sri Lanka the poruwa ceremony has the couple stand on a decorated platform and the groom's little finger is tied to the bride's with thread. In Myanmar, couples may be blessed by monks and a family elder.
Tibetan, Japanese and other forms
In Tibetan weddings guests give white scarves called khatas, and the chang barley beer is offered. In Bhutan the marriage may be agreed with little ceremony, with a blessing from a lama. In Japan most weddings are Shinto or Christian in style, though a Buddhist form exists with prayers before the altar and the rubbing of prayer beads. In Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan Buddhist blessings may be added to local custom.
Local and modern
Because Buddhism adapts to local culture, a Buddhist wedding is often as much Thai, Sri Lankan or Tibetan as it is Buddhist. In many places couples marry by law first and then visit a temple for a blessing. Monks may avoid being present at the vows and attend only the blessing, and some orders have their own rules, so practices should be learned from the community concerned.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Buddhist (faith). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇲🇲 MyanmarMarriage in Myanmar
A blend of Buddhist rites, astrological timing, and family negotiations that defines union across Myanmar's diverse ethnRite · Finding a match
🇮🇳 India and 2 moreMandapaमण्डप (maṇḍapa)
The pillared pavilion that serves as the stage for Hindu wedding rituals and temple gatherings.Setting · The ceremony
🇻🇳 VietnamTraditional Vietnamese weddingLễ cưới truyền thống Việt Nam
The multi-stage ceremony of betrothal, engagement and union that marks a marriage in Vietnam.Attire · Finding a match
🇮🇷 Iran and 5 moreCollective wedding
A single ceremony where many couples exchange vows and become married at once.Modern · The ceremony
🇳🇵 Nepal and 2 moreKhata
A ceremonial scarf offered to show respect and welcome at weddings and other gatherings in Tibet and Nepal.Adornment · Reception, dance and gifts
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Marriage in Myanmar: Thant Zin Myint, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Mandapa: Rajendran Ganesan, CC BY 2.0, source
- Traditional Vietnamese wedding: Gabrielle M. Vassal, Public domain, source
- Collective wedding: Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Pará, Public domain, source
- Khata: Wiki-uk, CC BY 3.0, source