Inaudible Lessons: Interpreting the Amplitude of Silence in the Lotus Sutra

Articulation is positively the crux of Buddhism. For this reason, distinguishing the significance of silence from the dialogic teachings and vocal practices that shape the religion is a rewarding enterprise. While grounded in a close reading of the Lotus Sutra, this academic paper references The Holy Teaching of Vimalakīrti, The Awakened One: A Life of the Buddha by Sherab Chödzin Kohn, and Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. By interpreting at length instances of silence in the Lotus Sutra — from narrative setting to edifying content — the Buddha’s motivation behind his wordlessness gradually unfolds and emerges as a pregnant counter-device to sound. The appreciation of silence as ‘non-sound’ and an all-encompassing state allows insight into the implications of the Buddha sitting in silence, his silent agreement, and his respect for those who preach to a silent place. Essentially, to demonstrate how lessons communicated by the Buddha in words are also delivered in his silence is the objective of this essay.