The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1495 page)

Buddhism
In the long process which leads eventually to enlightenment, the Buddha espoused the wisdom of addressing teaching and practice to the levels attained by different people (
up
ya-kau
alya
). In this perspective, marriage properly undertaken is a legitimate step, even though sexuality will be transcended in due course. In the
Sig
lov
da Sutta
, the Buddha laid out the responsibilities of lay Buddhists which embrace the duties involved in a householder's life. Paramount (and one of the Five Precepts,
la
) is the avoidance of sexual impropriety. If a marriage fails, there may be a contribution of
karma
to the failure, but in any case the dismantling of the marriage must attempt to avoid hurt to either of those involved.
Sikhism
The 1909 Anand Marriage Act legalized the Sikhs' Anand Karaj ceremony, following pressure from reformers—though many weddings are still influenced by Hindu practice. Although, according to Rahat Mary
d
,
caste
is immaterial, marriages are usually arranged within caste. Astrological considerations should not decide the date. Often betrothal (Pañj
b
,
ma
ga
,
k
rm