Christain-Buddhist Ceremony
On a table is a braided cord, incense, a unity candle a bowl of salt and a chalice of water.
Both side of the parents are seated, Bride’s on the left, Groom’s on the right.
Officiant stands in front of the audience, BRIDE enters in from the left, Groom enters in on the right, BRIDE & Groom meet in the middle, both face the audience and Officiant.
Today we come together to witness the union of the two families, the Bride’s Family and the Groom’s Family and to witness this couple promise to dedicate themselves completely to one another, with body, speech, and mind. In this life, in every situation, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness, in happiness or difficulty, they will work to help each other perfectly. This couple is 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.
Do you Groom and Bride, 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 loving kindness, compassion and joy?
“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”
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 becoming self absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings?
“We do”
Do you pledge to remember the disadvantages of ignorance, anger and attachment, to apply antidotes when these arise in your minds, and to remember the kindness of all other beings and your connection to them?
“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 each other not to become discouraged?
“We do”
Do you pledge to continuously strive to remain optimistic so that you can achieve your greatest potential and lasting happiness?
“We do”
Groom and Bride will light the incense which symbolizes air.
Groom and Bride will light the unity candle which symbolizes fire.
Groom and Bride turn toward the altar and each pick up a stick of incense. The incense is placed in a bowl of salt on the altar. They light the incense using a small candle and then light the unity candle together. Holding the chalice. Drink of this cup and be like the water inside, forming and changing together in accordance with external circumstances. When you encounter obstacles in your lives together that seem insurmountable, remember to follow your heart and always be flexible. A wise man once said ‘be formless, shapeless -- like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, and it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.’ ”
Handing the chalice to Groom, who drinks and then hands it to Bride who drinks. Bride places the chalice on the altar and turns to face Groom.
From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending. We ask that God bless these rings and this union of souls.
Groom take the ring you have chosen for Bride, place it on her finger and say these words to her:
With this ring, I give to you a reminder of our love and our vision for the future, a symbol of our union. Will you join with me? Bride answers, I will.
Groom places the ring on Bride’s finger.
A take the ring you have chosen for Groom, place it on his finger and say these words to him:
With this ring, I give to you a reminder of our love and our vision for the future, a symbol of our union. Will you join with me?
Groom answers, I will.
Bride places the ring on Groom’s finger. Groom and Bride take each other’s right hands. The Handfasting cord (a braided cord that symbolizes the two being bound to one another) from the table and wraps it around Groom and Bride’s wrists and hands three times, letting the ends dangle.
This cord, that you have braided together as a couple, is a symbol of your union within this Circle.
When the ceremony is over, your loved ones are encouraged to tie a knot in the cord to seal their good wishes for your future together. If those standing with you today wish to tie a knot to symbolize their good wishes, they may do so now.”
Matron of Honor and Best Men tie knots while cord still binds Groom and Bride.
May you be happy and well, may no harm come to you, may you practice compassion with each other. (bell)
May we, who have shared this day with you, be happy and well, may no harm come to us, may we learn compassion. (bell)
May all living beings be happy and well, may no harm come to them, may they learn compassion. (bell)
Please offer prayers or kind thoughts tonight for them as they begin this journey into a new phase in their lives together.”
Closing:
Having witnessed your vows with those assembled her today, it is with great joy that I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
Ladies and Gentlemen it is my honor to present for the first time as husband and wife: Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Last Name.
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