For Buddhist, celebrating a wedding means bringing the main tenets of Buddhist center forward. For many, sharing your wedding vows are a meaningful part of this ceremony and will help to guide the years spent in the marriage together. Here is a look at some of the best Buddhist wedding vows to share with one another during your ceremony.
Sample Vows #1
Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of growing in happiness each day.
Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of using whatever arises in our relationship for our own awakening and for the awakening of all beings.
Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of receiving everything in our relationship as teachings meant to open our hearts.
Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of revealing ourselves fully in our relationship, striving toward complete vulnerability and honesty.
Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of listening without judgment.
Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of feeling and releasing all obstructions to being fully present in each moment.
Sample Vows #2
________ and ________, are happy today not only because they can share the joy of their love for each other with friends and family, but also because they have the opportunity to express their aspirations for the future.
________ and ________, do you pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy and equanimity?
“We do”
Recognizing that the external conditions in life will not always be smooth and that internally your own minds and emotions will sometimes get stuck in negativity, do you pledge to see all these circumstances as a challenge to help you grow, to open your hearts, to accept yourselves, and each other; and to generate compassion for others who are suffering?
“We do”
Understanding that just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other person is also a mystery to us, do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, to examine your own minds continually and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiosity and joy?
“We do”
Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other, and to share it with all beings? To take the loving feelings you have for one another and your vision of each other’s potential and inner beauty as an example and rather than spiraling inwards and becoming self absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings?
“We do”
When it comes time to part, do you pledge to look back at your time together with joy– joy that you met and shared what you have–and acceptance that we cannot hold on to anything forever?
“We do”
Do you pledge to remember the disadvantages of ignorance, anger and clinging attachment, to apply antidotes when these arise in your minds, and to remember the kindness of all other beings and your connection to them? Do you pledge to work for the welfare of others, with all of your compassion, wisdom and skill?
“We do”
Do you pledge day to day, to be patient with yourselves and others, knowing that change comes slowly and gradually, and to seek inspiration from your teachers not to become discouraged?
“We do”
Sample Vows #3
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in partnership.
Do you, [Groom], promise to love, cherish and work day and night to bring total happiness to [Bride]? Do you promise to practice generosity, morality, patience, and joy in all you do; mindfulness and wisdom to treat [Bride] and all others with loving kindness and compassion, for all the time you are together, knowing that this marriage can only be as good as the two of you make it.
“I do.”
Please place the ring on [Bride]’s finger.
Do you, [Bride], promise to love, cherish and work day and night to bring total happiness to [Groom]? Do you promise to practice generosity, morality, patience, and joy in all you do; mindfulness and wisdom to treat [Groom] and all others with loving kindness and compassion, for all the time you are together, knowing that this marriage can only be as good as the two of you make it.
“I do.”
Please place the ring on [Groom]’s finger.
Sample Vows #4
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Sample Vows #5
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live.
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee GROOM/BRIDE, to be my Husband/Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband/wife, for as long as we both shall live.
Remember to be patient with yourselves and others, knowing that change comes slowly and gradually.
Seek inspiration from your family and friends. Develop the understanding of the nature of all things, Form the wisdom of knowing there is a deeper way of existence.
To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together.It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
By the power vested in me I now pronounce you . . . . . . .
You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I would Like to introduce the happy couple
Here is one example of a Buddhist wedding ceremony and the highlights of this celebration.
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