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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 35

Interestingly, the Buddha (who • Was hospitable to his friends single or married (contrary to the
knew what it was like to be in and relatives; Hollywood tripe that is piddled
love, marry, and have a child), had • Was faithful to him (it is around so gratuitously via the
his own opinion about an ideal interesting to note that vehicle of American media). That
marriage. It can be achieved if a faithfulness is the third piece is the whole point of practicing the
husband loves and respects his wife of advice for both husband and Buddhist path. But as it is, there
in the following ways: wife, and aligns identically with are many important aspects to
the Third Precept of refraining marriage. Aside from the emotional,
• Being courteous to her; from sexual misconduct); creative, and sexual possibilities it
• Appreciating her (this point • Took care of the family’s wealth; can offer, those in a marriage are
seems obvious, but can be • Was industrious (hoo boy. privileged with the opportunity
forgotten); Another thing the Buddha might to pool their strengths and talents
• Being faithful to her; be taken to task for due to its together, building with each other
• Sharing authority with her in possibly sexist subtext). a future that would be better than
family matters (this seems to be one if they were apart. For a couple,
a progressive foresight for the From a modern perspective, it is happiness shared is happiness
Buddha’s historical context); perhaps no longer enough for each doubled, but suffering shared is
• Giving her presents (from party to fulfill just five steps. I do suffering halved. And that might
the Buddha’s foresight or his not see why the husband should not be why the Thus Come treasured
personal experience? If only we manage the household well, and it marriage as a unit that brings
knew). would seem obvious that a courtesy stability, satisfaction, and sunshine.
is important to both. Perhaps the EH
Both parties share responsibilities, ideal is that both partners adopt all
and the Buddha spoke of the ideal ten. Source: Buddhistdoor Global, 2010-
wife as someone who: 01-01
When a Buddhist marries, they are
• Managed the household well (I not supposed to feel like something
think some feminists would like was missing before they took their
to have a word with the Buddha vows. People should feel whole and
about this); complete in themselves, be they