1. Family relationships

2. Contents The importance of family Hindu family life
Hindu attitudes to Marriage
The purpose of Marriage
The marriage ceremony.
Divorce
Summary

3. The importance of family
The belief in Ashramas means that all Hindus should go through the Householder stage of life.
The belief in dharma means that performing all the duties of a householder and raising children is a step on the way to achieving Moksha.
The Family is also important as it is where children learn right from wrong and learn how to be good Hindus.
Puja and other Hindu practices are based in the home and family.

4. Hindu family life Good parents will…. Provide for their children.
Perform daily puja.
Teach their children about puja, Hinduism and what is right & wrong.
Ensure boys have the sacred thread ceremony.
Encourage their children to attend the Mandir.
Good children will….
Obey their parents.
Respect their parents.
Care for their parents when they are old.

5. Hindu attitudes to marriage
Marriage marks the transition between two stages of life that of the student and the householder.
Marriage is viewed as being for life and as being a religious or spiritual event.
Traditionally couples have been of the same varna and marriages arranged. It is increasingly common (especially in UK) for couples to find their own partner

6. The purpose of marriage
Marriage is viewed as a Gift from God which serves the following purposes.
To allow the couple to have sex.
To join two families together.
To allow the couple to share love & each other’s company.
To produce children.
To enable fulfillment of the householder stage of life.

7. The marriage ceremony
As with all aspects of Hinduism, marriages can be diverse.
All Hindu weddings are carried out by a priest.
The couple take seven steps around the Havan or sacred fire as laid down in the Law of Manu. The first step is for food, the second for strength, the third for wealth, the fourth for happiness, the fifth for children, the sixth for sustenance and the seventh for unity.
In addition to this they will often throw rice into the Havan to encourage the couple’s fertility, stand on a rock to represent the stability which marriage will bring to their lives, make offerings to deities and have prayers and hymns.

8. Divorce
Hinduism disapproves of marriage. It can be considered as a sigma socially and the more traditional a Hindu the less likely they are to divorce or re-marry.
Despite this the number of divorces both in India and in Hindu communities in the UK is increasing.
However, divorce is permissible if there is cruelty or if after 15 years of marriage no children have been produced.

9. Summary Family is important in relation to Ashramas and dharma.
Marriage is viewed as being for life.
Divorce is rare and frowned upon, but increasing.
The 7 steps are the most important part of a marriage ceremony.
There are expectations for both parents and children in Hinduism.