Buddhist Wedding Traditions by Region

A Guide to Ceremonies in South Asia

Buddhist wedding traditions vary across South Asia, shaped by regional culture, geography, and local customs. While couples of the Buddhist faith can be found throughout the region, some of the most commonly practiced traditions originate in Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Although Buddhist teachings emphasize simplicity and mindfulness, wedding ceremonies often blend traditional Buddhist principles with long-standing cultural rituals unique to each country.

Overview of Buddhist Marriage Traditions

Buddhist marriages are generally considered civil unions rather than religious sacraments. Unlike Hindu weddings, they do not require elaborate temple rituals, though monks are often invited to offer blessings and chants.

In India and other parts of South Asia, Buddhist marriages have traditionally been arranged. Families prepare a marriage biodata, and horoscope matching plays a significant role in determining compatibility.

Pre-Wedding Events

Engagement Ceremony (Chessian)

The formal engagement ceremony, known as Chessian, is scheduled on an auspicious day. Both families gather for a simple ceremony during which a Buddhist monk recites prayers. In some regions, a sacred drink called Madyan is served to guests as part of the celebration.

Wedding Day Rituals

Marriage Vows

During the wedding ceremony, the couple recites:

Vandana
Tisarana
Pancasila

These are sacred hymns spoken in the Pali language. The couple then takes marital vows from the Sigilovada Sutta, a Buddhist discourse outlining harmony and responsibility in family life. Rings and flower garlands are often exchanged following the vows.

Post-Wedding Celebrations

Wedding Feast

Guests are treated to a seated banquet featuring vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes served family-style. The celebration typically continues with music, dancing, and speeches honoring the couple.

Buddhist Wedding Traditions in Bhutan

Bhutanese Buddhist weddings are deeply spiritual and led by monks, with rituals focused on purification, blessings, and longevity.

Lhabsang

Performed early on the wedding day, monks chant mantras while burning incense and making offerings to local deities outside the temple. This ritual seeks divine approval and blessings for a smooth and successful ceremony.

Butter Lamp Ceremony

Upon arrival, the couple performs six prostrations—three to the Head Lama (Rinpoche) and three to the main altar—before lighting butter lamps. The act symbolizes illuminating both the house of God and the couple’s future life together.

Thrisor

A purification ritual conducted by monks to cleanse the body, speech, mind, and soul, removing negative energy and past sins.

Changphoed

Ara, a locally brewed drink, is offered to the deities. The couple then shares the remaining brew from the same traditional wooden bowl, symbolizing unity and lifelong partnership. The exchange of rings follows.

Tsepamey Choko

A blessing ceremony invoking Tsepamey, the deity of longevity, wishing the couple a long and happy married life.

Zhugdrey Phunsum Tshogpa

A sacred food-sharing ritual where offerings are first made to deities, then distributed to guests. Fruits symbolize fertility, harmony, and eternal happiness.

Dhar Nyanga

The ceremony concludes with the presentation of five-colored ceremonial scarves, offered with prayers and good wishes for the couple’s marriage.

Buddhist Wedding Traditions in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Buddhist weddings emphasize auspicious timing, symbolism, and family involvement.

Pre-Wedding Customs

Selecting the Wedding Date (Nekath)

Rather than a formal engagement, families meet to select an auspicious wedding date and time, known as the Nekath. An astrologer determines this after consulting the couple’s horoscopes.

The Wedding Ceremony (Poruwa Siritha)

The traditional Sinhala-Buddhist wedding ceremony is known as Poruwa Siritha.

The Poruwa Platform

The Poruwa is a beautifully decorated wooden platform symbolizing the home the couple will build together. Religious chants are recited by the Ashtaka as the couple steps onto the platform at the exact auspicious time.

Betel Leaf Rituals

The officiant presents betel leaves as offerings to the gods. Seven sheaves of betel leaves, each topped with a coin, are then placed before the couple. They take turns selecting leaves to honor seven generations of ancestry.

Tying of the Pirith Nool

The couple’s little fingers are tied together with a sacred thread (Pirith Nool) while holy water is poured over them, symbolizing unity and the sacred elements of water and earth.

Gifting of White Cloth

One partner presents a length of white cloth to the other’s parent as an expression of gratitude for raising their spouse.

Milk Rice (Kiribath) Ceremony

The couple is fed Kiribath (milk rice) and given a sip of milk by their mothers, symbolizing nourishment, blessing, and the beginning of their married life.

The ceremony concludes with the couple stepping down from the Poruwa with their right foot first, breaking a coconut for good fortune, and lighting a traditional oil lamp.

Post-Wedding Traditions

Homecoming Ceremony

A few days after the wedding, a homecoming ceremony is held. Traditionally, the bride receives a saree and jacket from her mother during the Poruwa ceremony to wear for this occasion.g ceremony.