Buddhist Approach to Sustain a Marriage Life Based on Tipiṭaka

Abstract

At present, there are a lot of problems concerning with a marriage life. Husbands and wives treated each other immorally: family violence, stealing behavior, extramarital affair, deception between family members, and substance abuse. These international scale problems abducted a sustainable marriage life and caused divorce. This article aims to understand the practical Buddhist approach to sustain a marriage life based on Tipiṭaka. Buddhism encourages a couple to observe the five precepts (pañca-sīla) and practice the ennobling virtues (pañca-dhamma) as fundamental rules for laypeople. Moreover, a set of doctrines must also be practiced as supporting virtues. They are virtues for laity (gharāvāsa-dhamma), the two directions (disā), well matched (samajīvidhamma), and virtues conducive to benefits in the future (sampadā). Of these, the doctrine in well matched plays a crucial role in perpetuating good living of a couple. These doctrinal principles, under a virtuous frame, render a sustainable marriage life to husbands and wives in whom they live ordinary life smoothly and happily. When living together, a member should truly understand their responsive duties; one should be self developed, tolerable, supportive, generous, etc. Thus, the Buddhist approach is a key to sustain a marriage life for family institute, and benefits both this life and the life-to-come.