Pre-marriage Advice

The Anguttara Nikaya contains some valuable advice which the Buddha gave to young girls prior to their marriage. Realizing that there could be difficulties with the new in laws, the girls were enjoined to give every respect to their mothers in law and fathers in law, serving them lovingly as their own parents. They were expected to honor and respect their husbands relatives and friends, thus creating a congenial and happy atmosphere in their new homes.

They were also advised to study and understand their husbands natures, ascertain their activities, characters and temperaments, and to be useful and cooperative at all times in their new homes. They should be polite, kind and watchful of their husbands earnings and see to it that all household expenditures were properly administered. The advice given by the Buddha more than twenty five centuries ago is still valid even today.