We officiate Buddhist Weddings for all couples regardless of sexual orientation and individual religious beliefs.
We celebrate Buddhist weddings in all Italian Zen Temples and Centers led by Master Tetsugen Serra.
The ceremony involves the recitation of Buddhist Sutras and the exchange of union in front of the Master, Dharma Teacher or Buddhist monk.
Buddhists value the qualities of love, wisdom, respect and follow a high ethical standard. A Buddhist wedding ceremony offers space for newlyweds to meditate on the principles taught by the Buddha and implement them in their marriage, allowing for a more spiritual and mature union.
Buddhist values: symbols and ways to represent them in a wedding
- Love, respect and honor: altar with significant symbols and photos of loved ones or ancestors, meditation, banners and tea ceremony
- Positive Space and Blessings: incense, prayer flags
- Not harmful to life: vegetarian menu (where a banquet is planned) even if not all Buddhists are vegetarians. Buddha ate everything that was offered, demonstrating gratitude, another key value
- Generosity: abundance of food but not waste, donations to the Temple
- Transformation and wisdom: lotus flowers, candles, prayer, meditation, bells or gongs
- Joy and Happiness: gold fish
- Inter-connection: red thread, endless knot, white ceremonial scarf
- Protection: Buddha statue, victory banners
- Purity: water, white ceremonial scarf
- Body: in Buddhism, the body is respected as sacred with the head as the highest point of the body, symbolizing enlightenment
- Clothes: couples can dress in the dress they prefer, therefore also with the classic white wedding dress or dresses of another color
- Flowers: common are peonies, orchids, ikebana, roses, wisteria and lotus
Where is a Buddhist wedding held?
Weddings generally take place in a Temple, in a Zen Center, or in another place where the Buddhist priest will go to celebrate the union. A couple is free to choose where to get married.
- If the Buddhist wedding takes place at Sanboji Mountain Monastery being a very large place, there is the possibility of external catering, overnight accommodation for up to a maximum of 35 people (in shared dormitories, with the exception of 4 singles and a double room) and outdoor walks for the banquet and photoshooting.
- If the Buddhist wedding takes place in a Temple or Zen Center, catering is not provided, the spouses and guests will only be able to cut the cake and make a toast.
It is not possible to stay or sleep in city temples.
What happens at a Buddhist wedding?
Buddhist couples visit the Temple before getting married. During this preventive visit, gifts of flowers, money and/or food are brought for the monks, who will then bless the couple.
In view of the wedding, Buddhist monks will recite the Sutras or recite readings relating to union and love, lighting incense and guiding the couple in guided meditation.
The monks will also be able to tie a red thread around the wrist of the future spouses for good luck.
On this visit the couple will honor the Buddha statue with flowers, food or drink, or by lighting candles and incense sticks to honor the ancestors requesting a long life and a happy marriage.
Other traditions on the wedding day
The bridal couple can honor the ancient tradition by sipping a cup of wine or sake three times before or during the wedding ceremony, offering the drink to their parents and elders as a sign of respect and to symbolize the union of the two families.
As for the ceremony itself, it is good to remember that there is no dogmatic structure. So the bride and groom can write their own personal vows, include any readings, as well as choose the music they feel is most personal, within the limits of common sense, of course.
What should a guest wear to a Buddhist wedding?
In the temple it is necessary to cover shoulders, arms and legs. It will be necessary to remove your shoes: we therefore recommend choosing footwear that can be easily put on and taken off.
Regarding style, bright colors are always welcome during these occasions and, as in many Western weddings, white can also be used.
What food is served at a Buddhist wedding?
The food is vegetarian. Many couples also choose a Western-style wedding cake from a bakery.
What gift should you give at a Buddhist wedding?
The couple's gift at a Buddhist wedding is money to support the Temple and the monks' practice as a good omen.
Is there anything a guest shouldn't do at a Buddhist wedding?
It is a good idea not to drink too much: Buddhists believe in the concept of the "Middle Way" and drunkenness goes against the Precepts to which Buddhists adhere. More generally, sobriety is always welcome.
The ceremony
- Recitation of the Heart Sutra ( Parajinaparamita ), the booklets will be printed by the Temple and distributed to all participants in order to participate in the reading, furthermore the booklets are personalized and printed with the couple's names.
- Vows led by an officiant (Master, Dharma Teacher or Monk).
- Exchange of vows and rings.
- Ritual of sharing sake or wine (san san kudo).
- Reciting a special vow. This vow is written in Italian and is certified and signed by both partners.
- Announcement of the wedding.
The wedding night
It is possible to stop and sleep at the Sanboji Temple in a Zen-style mini apartment with tatami and futon, scented with flowers and incense.
Guests can also stay at the Temple, it is a good idea to let those who are staying overnight know in advance so that the rooms and breakfast can be prepared.
Plan your wedding
Cost of the ceremony
The Sanboji Temple is surrounded by greenery with a unique and lush nature (it is advisable to have a wedding in spring or summer to be able to take advantage of the external part and it is also possible to do external catering). The dana or donation for the Buddhist wedding is free starting from a donation of €1000 euros for the ceremony, a further donation is to be expected for the food and preparation (if the wedding takes place at the Sanboi Temple) which varies depending on the number of guests.
Include
Setting up the ceremony
booklets - give names of the spouses and witnesses
food preparation (no cake)
preparation of the Temple
preparation
wedding rehearsals (preparation of the bride and groom)
secretarial coordination
cleaning environments and large gardens
ritual and perfumes
He doesn't understand
The wedding night for the couple and guests (dana aside)
The wedding cake
Photographer (the Temple can provide a photographer who will be paid by the spouses)
