Marriage

This book, "Marriage: Reflections & Understandings from Nine Faiths in Britain," published by the UK Jain Academy in April 2010, offers a comprehensive overview of marriage beliefs and customs across nine major world religions practiced in Britain: Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, and Zoroastrian.

The publication aims to provide accurate and contextualized information, recognizing that many couples today face challenges due to interfaith and intercultural marriages. It acknowledges that most religions do not actively encourage such unions, making reliable information scarce. The book serves as a starting point for understanding the diverse traditions, wedding processes, rites, rituals, customs, celebrations, and pre-marital guidance within each faith.

Key Themes and Content:

• Introduction: The book highlights the increasing prevalence of interfaith and intercultural marriages in contemporary British society and the challenges couples and families may encounter. It emphasizes the importance of marriage as a sacred commitment across all faiths, providing a framework for raising children and contributing to society.
• Marriage as a Social and Spiritual Institution: Across the nine faiths, marriage is generally viewed as a significant bond, often with spiritual and moral dimensions, though its specific religious sanctity varies (e.g., secular in Buddhism, sacramental in Christianity and Zoroastrianism).
• Partner Selection: While individual choice is becoming more common, arranged marriages, or more accurately, assisted marriages where families are involved in the selection process, are still prevalent in many traditions, particularly those with South Asian roots. The importance of parental approval, family compatibility, and the couple's own consent is stressed. The distinction between consensual arranged marriages and forced marriages is made clear.
• Wedding Rituals: Each chapter dedicated to a specific faith details unique rituals, ceremonies, and symbols associated with weddings. These can range from simple blessings and vows to elaborate multi-day events with specific prayers, offerings, and symbolic actions. Examples include:
  • Baha'i: A simple ceremony emphasizing spiritual and physical unity, with the couple stating their commitment to God's will.
  • Buddhist: Generally a secular affair, with a focus on commitment and harmony, often incorporating local cultural traditions.
  • Christian: Varies greatly by denomination, with emphasis on the union of Christ and the Church, often involving vows, ring exchanges, and blessings. Orthodox weddings feature elaborate rituals like crowning and the common cup. Quaker weddings are more informal, focusing on silent reflection and personal vows.
  • Hindu: Rich in rituals, often performed in Sanskrit with sacred hymns, including ceremonies like Kanya Daan (giving away the daughter) and Sapta Padi (seven steps around the sacred fire), symbolizing commitment and lifelong union.
  • Jain: Influenced by Hindu customs, with a focus on ahimsa (non-violence). Rituals may include invocations to deities and symbolic offerings.
  • Jewish: Known as Kiddushin (sanctification), emphasizing a holy union. Ceremonies include the Chuppah (canopy), ring exchange, reading of the Ketubah (marriage document), and breaking a glass.
  • Muslim: A simple ceremony known as Nikah, involving the exchange of vows and presence of witnesses. The Walima is a celebratory feast.
  • Sikh: Called Anand Karaj (ceremony of bliss), signifying a spiritual union. Rituals include Lavan (four marriage verses) recited around the Guru Granth Sahib.
  • Zoroastrian: Considered a divinely ordained event, with rituals focusing on purity, righteousness, and the union of two souls, often involving fire ceremonies and vows.
• Beliefs and Customs: Beyond wedding rituals, the book explores the underlying beliefs of each faith regarding marriage, family life, gender roles, and ethical conduct. It touches upon concepts like karma, divine grace, prayer, worship, diet, and community life.
• Marriage and Divorce: Most faiths emphasize marriage as a lifelong commitment, though they often have provisions for divorce in specific circumstances, with varying degrees of societal or religious approval for remarriage.
• Interfaith Marriage: The book acknowledges the complexities and potential challenges of interfaith marriages and provides context for how different faiths approach them.
• Structure: The book is organized with an introduction, chapters on wedding rituals for each of the nine faiths, followed by chapters on their respective beliefs and customs. It concludes with references and further information, including useful websites and organizations.

Overall, "Marriage: Reflections & Understandings from Nine Faiths in Britain" aims to foster mutual understanding and respect in a multicultural society by offering accessible information on the diverse and profound ways in which marriage is understood and celebrated across various religious traditions.