There are a number of different sections of Buddhism,
and the beliefs of each group vary slightly. In general, Buddhists
believe in life as a process of change, moving towards greater wisdom,
awareness and kindness. The mind is the decisive factor in the changing
of the self, and meditation is used to develop the mind to a more
positive state.
The main concern to Buddhists is that there is suffering in the world.
There is no sense of a creator God in Buddhism. The Buddha (a title,
rather than a name, which means one who is awake to reality) was a
human being who transformed himself, through enormous effort, to a
state of profound Enlightenment.
Buddhists follow Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha where there is
suffering, caused by wanting. This suffering can end completely by
using the Eightfold Path, which develops good understanding, thought
speech, action, work, effort, mindfulness and meditation. Buddhism
is an open religion that believes that all people are equal, and welcomes
those of any age, gender, nationality or background.
A couple can be married in the eyes of the law by having a Buddhist
ceremony as long as the person who conducts their ceremony is registered
to conduct weddings. If this is not the case, a civil ceremony will
also have to be held.
The legal requirements to be fulfilled are those that apply to civil
marriages. However, if the building in which the couple wish to
marry is in a different registration district to where they live,
the superintendent registrar needs proof that the building is the
couples normal place of worship. If this is not possible, the couple
are required to give notice in the registration district in which
the building is situated after having met the necessary residency
requirement.
If there is no building in the couples registration district, they
will be permitted to marry in a building in the nearest registration
district that has one.
A superintendent registrar may also need to attend the ceremony. If
the building in which the couple intend to marry is not registered
for the solemnisation of marriages, a civil ceremony must be arranged
beforehand to comply with the requirements of the law.
Buddhism holds great store in peace, and not causing harm to any other
living thing. Therefore it is held by most Buddhist groups that if
every form of reconciliation has failed, the couple should be allowed
to peacefully separate rather than cause any more suffering. The couple
are asked to take into consideration the position and future of any
children, so as not to cause them unnecessary suffering.
It is traditional in some communities on the morning of their wedding
for the bride and groom to visit a monk who has taken a vow of poverty
and give him food in return for his blessing.
As in Greek
Orthodox culture, the bed has significance and an older couple may
sometimes be called on to prepare the bridal bed and decorate it with
lucky talismans such as bags of rice, sesame seeds, coins and, in
more rural communities, a tomcat. These symbolise fertility and happiness.
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