FAQs

Question

Are there certain customs I should be aware of in a Buddhist Temple?

Answer

Yes! There are two main customs that may be new to you. First, you will be asked to take off your shoes as a sign of respect while in the Temple, and there will be a few minutes of silent eating during the beginning of the light lunch in keeping with the tradition of mindful eating. There is not a specific dress code, but please dress appropriately for a religious space.

Question

What can I expect from a Buddhist ceremony and tea ceremony?

Answer

Both the Buddhist and tea ceremonies will take place in the Temple. During the Buddhist ceremony, there will be blessings regarding marriage led by Monks in Vietnamese with projected English translations. The Bride, Groom, and their families will be kneeling in the center of the room, but there will be chairs surrounding them for the rest of the attendees. There will be times when attendees are invited to bow to Buddha which you can partake in as much as is comfortable to you and your faith tradition. The tea ceremony is an opportunity for the Bride and Groom to honor their parents and other familial elders. During this time, the parents and elders offer blessings for the couple's marriage. Both ceremonies together will be about 1 hour.

Question

Will you be upset if I can't come?

Answer

Absolutely not! We invited you because we love you and would be thrilled to celebrate with you, but we completely understand that weddings can be cost prohibitive, not conducive to your schedule, or simply not your idea of a fun Saturday.