Vimalakīrti Remained Silent, the Buddha Spoke. Which Path Do I Choose?

"Silence is golden — and yet the Buddha spoke, and the voice of Amida still reaches me today."

“Silence is Golden” — but is it Always?

It is often said, “Silence is golden.” Some cite the famous Buddhist story of Vimalakīrti’s silence, seeing in it a truth that transcends words.

I, too, acknowledge that there are realms words can never fully express. And yet, I would insist: silence is not always the highest path.

Silence and Speech — The Dharma Suited to Time and Place

Buddhism teaches the principle of “Dharma according to the right time and situation”. There are moments when silence is fitting, but also moments when speaking is essential.

Vimalakīrti’s silence was noble indeed. But to generalize it as if “silence is always the wise response” — I believe that is a mistake.

The Voice of Amida

At the heart of Jōdo Shinshū (True Pure Land Buddhism) lies the voice of the Name: “Namu Amida Butsu.” The Vow of Amida Buddha reaches us as words, working to embrace and save us, ordinary beings.

If the Buddha had chosen only silence, salvation would never have reached us.

The Path the Buddha Chose — The Request of Brahmā

When Śākyamuni attained awakening, he first thought: “This truth is too deep. No one will understand. I will remain silent.”

But then Brahmā (a guardian deity in Indian tradition) appeared and urged him to teach. This event is known as the famous “Brahmā’s Request”.

And so, the Buddha chose not silence, but the path of speaking.

The Path I Choose

Even the Buddha chose to speak. Then how much more should I, as a foolish being, take speaking as my responsibility?

Words are imperfect. They can mislead or be misunderstood. And yet, there are feelings that can only be conveyed through words, and lives that can be touched by a voice.

Not every word will lead to good. Still, without fear of outcome, I must continue to speak. That, I believe, is how one repays the compassion of Amida and the teachings of the great teachers.

This is why I choose the path of speaking. Not in rejection of silence, but as my own way as an ordinary being — to stumble, to falter, yet to use words as my path of practice.

In Closing

I conclude with a line from a Jōdo Shinshū poster (Honganji-ha, Nagano District Office, vol.113):

“From indifference to imagination, empathy, and action. There is nothing in this world that has nothing to do with me.”

Indeed, nothing is truly unrelated. And for that reason, I will not stop speaking.

日本語版note:維摩は黙した、釈尊は語った。私はどちらを選ぶか