In Buddhism, the duties of a Buddhist husband and wife are considered to be of utmost importance. Buddhism teaches that these duties will help you to become more compassionate and loving as well as give more understanding about others around you.
Buddhism is a religion with deep roots in Asia. It was founded in the 6th century B.C.E by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. Like most religions, Buddhism has a number of beliefs about marriage.
What Does Buddhism Say About Marriage?
Buddhism does not believe in marriage as a mandatory religious duty. Marriage is entirely optional, until and unless a person is content; but there is no obligation for Buddhists to marry. According to Buddhism, marriage is not a requirement for the continuation of life, but is rather an optional choice.
It’s important to remember that Buddhism is neither against marriage nor it considers marriage as a holy or unholy act. Buddhists are not compelled to get married, but most do. Some Buddhists choose to remain bachelor, while others marry and have children.
The Buddha did not discourage marriage, but he gave freedom to his followers to decide by themselves pertaining to marriage. However, by getting married, one can express their love and affection for each other, while honouring their commitment towards their partner.
It is important to know is that Buddhism doesn’t have an official stance on marriage. Buddhism does not regard marriage as a religious duty. It is a personal choice, and people can marry for whatever reason they choose. It is important for couples to take responsibility for their own happiness and well-being.
Buddhist Marriage Ceremony
It is true that Buddhist monks do not perform a marriage ceremony. They will often officiate marriages for their lay followers. However, they can perform religious prayers in order to bless the couple. This can be done in a number of different ways. One way, is to perform the marriage ceremony privately in front of family or close friends.
In Buddhism, there is no formal guidance about the marriage ceremony. Though, there are few customs that can be observed if you wish to follow the traditions. One custom is the couple should exchange rings. The groom will give his bride an engagement ring; while bride will give groom a wedding ring. This is usually done at the engagement party. The couples may also exchange gifts on this occasion.
Another custom is for both the bride and groom to recite traditional vows. They ask for God’s blessings and seek guidance in their vows. The vows are also linked to some future promises made by both, the husband and the wife. In Buddhism, there are many different sects and schools of thought, so some people might have different ways of performing these rituals.
5 Scared Duties of Buddhist Husband
- Be Respectful
The Buddhist view of marriage is that, it is a partnership between husband and wife, where in both the parties have equal rights. The husband should treat his wife with respect because it is important for him to show her that he respects her and cares about her feelings and opinions. A good thing about having compassion for one’s spouse is it creates a sense of goodwill between two people; who may otherwise dislike each other very much at first glance due to differences.
- Give Household Authority
The husband should give his wife authority to run the household. This way, husbands are able to focus on their careers or hobbies and not worry about managing the household. It is important to recognize the authority you have over your spouse. If you want your wife to manage the household, then you must show her that you trust her with that authority.
- Be Faithful
The husband should be faithful to his wife. He should not cheat on her, nor should he lie to her. He should always be respectful and treat his wife with the utmost respect. A husband should follow Sila (moral principles) of Buddhism i.e., to avoid drinking alcohol and remain abstain from stealing, killing and telling lies.
- Financial Support
A husband is responsible for supporting his family. He must be the main supporter of his family. He has to ensure that all the basic needs of his wife and children are met. The husband is responsible for paying his wife’s expenses. He is also responsible to financially support his children, especially if they are unable to work and need help from their father.
- Support Your Wife’s Idea to Beautify Herself
It means, if your wife wants to get a facial or spa treatment, support her. It will show her that you care about her and are interested in what she cares about. It’s important that you don’t push your wife into doing something she doesn’t want to do or don’t feel like doing. If it’s something she has always wanted to try but never had the time or money for, be supportive towards these things happening, so she can indulge herself.
5 Scared Duties of Buddhist Wife
- Be Supportive and Caring
As a Buddhist wife, you must do everything within your power to support your husband’s efforts to live life as a good person. You can only do this by being an example yourself through practicing kindness, generosity, compassion, and wisdom.
- Good Homemaker
The best wife is the one who can make her husband feel like a king. She should be an excellent homemaker. She should cook, clean and do laundry, as well as wash dishes and vacuum the house. She should also keep the house in order and be able to handle all household chores with ease. She should take care of her children and help them with their homework. Being a good homemaker means you will have more time for yourself and your family.
- Be Faithful
A Buddhist wife should respect her husband and avoid extra-marital affairs. She should never cheat on her husband and should always be faithful to her husband and children.
- Protect Husband’s Earnings
The wife should protect her husband’s earnings, as it is the most precious asset of a man. A man earns money by working hard and performing well at work. A woman who protects her husband’s earnings is a good wife. She should avoid spending money on useless things and wisely manage household expenses.
- Maintain Good Relationships
A good interpersonal relationship with the family is important for the wife. She should maintain good relationship with her in-laws and other relatives. It is important for a wife to be able to express herself properly, and communicate effectively with family members. This helps her to maintain a good relationship with them as well as make them feel valued and respected by her.
