marriage

view on marriage

• secular act

  • so divorce / remarriage has no karmic consequences

  • monks don’t officiate

• not an obligation

culturally dependent

• some cultures may have religious aspects (e.g. blessing at monastery)

dhammanada quote on marriage

“marriage is neither holy nor unholy”

laity marriage

• can marry

  • grows society

  • bringing up a child = good karma 

• can be polygamous

sangha

• can’t marry = focus on nirvana (esp Theravada)

• like Buddha’s Great Renunciation

cutlure

• Japanese monks (Mahayana) can marry

• Western Buddhism (Triratna) more accepting of marriage

• laity polygamous in some countries, but not Western

fuang

FUANG marriage = “pile more suffering on yourself”