Online Ordination for Modern Buddhist Wedding Officiants

Buddhist Ordination Online with American Marriage Ministries

As Buddhist practices are increasingly embraced here in the West, many Buddhists are exploring online ordination as a path toward spiritual and philosophical leadership. This is especially true for Buddhist wedding officiants, as a simple and ethical means of meeting the local legal requirements to perform weddings within their communities. 

Why get ordained online as a Buddhist? 

The path to Buddhist ordination is unique from that of other faiths, in part because of the diverse nature of Buddhism itself. As one of the oldest religions in the world, Buddhism crosses many borders and embodies many traditions and denominations. There’s no one way to practice Buddhism, and no one path toward ordination.

Traditional Buddhist ordination includes two stages – novice ordination and higher ordination – both of which lead to a monastic life (as a Buddhist monk or Buddhist nun). This is an admirable undertaking which requires complete dedication and sacrifice. 

Buddhist monks and nuns dedicate their lives to the service of others, the study of doctrine, and daily meditation… but they don’t officiate weddings! 

In fact, in traditional Buddhist cultures, weddings are often officiated by a friend or family member with a close relationship to the couple. In the United States, friends and family members can serve this important role by first getting ordained online for free, through a nondenominational church like American Marriage Ministries (AMM). So, while our ordination cannot be equated to the years required by the traditional Buddhist ordination path, and is not in any way an alternative, it’s a great way for Buddhists to legally officiate weddings.  

Online Ordination for the Buddhist Wedding Officiant: Get Ordained Online Free! 

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Without this accessible pathway to ordination, it would be difficult for many modern Buddhists to become legally recognized as Buddhist clergy in the United States – and to officiate weddings and other important ceremonies for their communities. 

 AMM provides an accessible pathway to ordination for Buddhist wedding officiants. (Photo: Kobus Louw / iStock)

Why choose AMM for your Buddhist ordination? 

American Marriage Ministries ordains people of all faiths and backgrounds, including Buddhists, Wiccans, Atheists, Agnostics, and many others – provided that they agree to our church’s three guiding tenets: 

• All people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, have the right to marry.
• It is the right of every couple to choose who will solemnize their marriage.
• All people have the right to solemnize marriage.

 
As a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization, we believe that what unites us isn’t if we pray, or who we pray to. What unites all of us is our shared humanity. This broad approach allows us to welcome ministers of any religious or nonreligious background, and offer our ideological and spiritual support and acceptance. 

This universal acceptance is essential to one of our primary functions as a church: To ensure that all people have equal access to the benefits and protections of marriage, and the opportunity to celebrate the act of marriage with their friends, families, and communities in their own authentic way.

More Buddhist Wedding Ideas & Inspiration 

• How to Perform a Buddhist Wedding Ceremony
   
• A Simple Buddhist Wedding Ceremony Script
   
• Mindful Wedding Ceremony with Buddhist Reading & 4 Love Mantras
   
• 30 Buddhist Quotes on Love & Happiness for Your Wedding Ceremony Script