Conditions for marriage ceremonies at Amidaji temple

 fragment from Amidaji Constitution  

Marriage ceremonies can be held at Amidaji temples on the following conditions[1]:

     a)    Only between biologically born men and women (see the important note bellow). Amidaji temple recognizes the natural differences between biologically born men and biologically born women, as Shakyamuni Buddha himself addressed to His disciples as (biologically born) men and (biologically born) women when He gave advice to couples. He never gave advices to couples who were not (biologically born) men and (biologically born) women, which means that we too cannot recognize such people as couples to be married. This is also why any sexual or gender ideology which tends to disregard such natural and biological differences between men and women, like for example, the ideas that sexual identity is something that can be chosen without regard to one's biology (without regard to the fact that one was born a man or a woman), will not be promoted by Amidaji temple and its representatives, priests and teachers. 

b)      The man and woman must be at least 18 years old 

c)      At least one in the couple[2] is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist and does not embrace wrong views

d)     The couple will attend a retreat of at least three days at Amidaji or in a center affiliated with Amidaji[3]. This is required so that they do not use the temple like it is a place for weddings only. Thus, they must first listen the Dharma before being offered a wedding ceremony. Members who are not serious about the Dharma can be refused by the priest from wedding ceremonies.

e)      The couple will not make a nonbuddhist religious wedding[4]

f)       The couple promise that they will never make abortion

g)      They promise they will offer a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist education to their children, and that they will not introduce the child to another religion[5]

h)      The couple promise that they will stay together until death[6]

 Important note:

Homosexual weddings or any type of wedding between people who are not biologically born men and women are forbidden because the temple does not encourage sexual misconduct.

It is true that all beings, without any regard to their delusions, blind passions, or immoral behavior are saved by Amida Buddha if they entrust themselves to Him. However, this does not mean that a Jodo Shinshu temple and its priests or teachers should institutionalize, promote or justify that which is regarded as immoral behavior by the Buddha Dharma.  As we do not make religious ceremonies to celebrate drunkeness or drug consumption to show that people who drink too much or use various forms of intoxicants are saved by Amida Buddha, we also do not make religious ceremonies which promotes sexual misconduct, even if those who practice it are equally saved by Amida Buddha.  To use Amida's indiscriminative salvation as a tool to justify, promote or institutionalize immoral behavior is the heresy of licensed evil, and it will not be allowed at Amidaji temple and sangha.

Related article:

On the Buddhist Meaning of the Marriage and the Role of Husband and Wife

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[1] The priest may refuse a wedding if any of the conditions above are not met or for other reasons that contradict Buddhist morals.

[2] The couple may choose if they so wish, a godfather and godmother who are both Jodo Shinshu Buddhists or at least are practising one form of Buddhism to act as witness to their wedding and who promise to act as guardians of their marriage. Since the moment of the wedding ceremony the godfather and godmother are considered relatives of the couple. Other local traditions may be followed as long as they do not contradict the Buddhist teaching and do not involve nonBuddhist deities or spirits. It is recommended that the same godfather and godmother be used both for wedding ceremonies and child presentation at the temple. Other local traditions may be followed as long as they do not contradict the Buddhist teaching and do not involve non-Buddhist deities or spirits.

[3] If there is no Amidaji temple in the area and the space for a three days retreat cannot be offered, then the couple must come to listen to the teachings for three days in a row.

[4] This is because some non-Buddhist weddings involve conversion to that specific religion or worshipping other non-Buddhist deities and spirits. 

[5] The child can choose his own religion when he is mature enough, but the parents should not encourage him to leave Jodo Shinshu.

[6] Divorce may remain an option only in very difficult cases of domestic violence, physical or mental abuse, cheating, etc. However, the couple must do their best to respect and love each other and go together through all difficulties.