Marriage Traditions: Similarities And Differences

Marriage is viewed differently within other cultures. Some believe that the women is inferior to their husband’s, while other culture fight for equality within a marriage. This paper will discuss the wedding traditions and spousal roles within the Hindu, Jewish, and Buddhist community. There are similarities and differences between the three cultures. The Jewish follow the guidelines from the Bible where it states it not good for man to be alone and should have a help mate opposite of him. The Buddhist have a more liberal approach with beliefs that marriage should be between the man and woman for companionship. The Hindus have a few rules to follow but the roles and upkeep within the marriage are to be maintained by couple. The similarities between the cultures have the views that the man should take care of the wife while the wife makes sure her husband is happy. Each culture speaks on loyalty and honesty within the marriage. Some of them require traditions and rituals to be …show more content…
The Buddha gave women full freedom to participate in a religious life. Before the Buddha, women’s duties were restricted to the kitchen nor were they allowed to enter into any temple or recite any religious scripture. For many years they could not have property rights and are still discriminated in various fields. Depending upon cultural traditions, marriages, are either arranged between two families, as in many eastern cultures, or decided upon and entered into between two consenting adults, as in the West. Buddha does however give advice on how to live a happy married life. Divorce is said not to be uncommon nor prohibited ¬ (Buddhism). It is allowed if the couple refuses to follow the ethical prescription and is unable to live in peace, harmony, and in agreement with one another, it is preferable for the marriage to be ended instead of allowing the marriage to destroy the couple and/or family.