________________
something to use as raw material for manufacturing thoughts. The raw material is what one has fed to it in the past. Our memory, thought process and imagination can be expressed using a language. They all have words. If one does not feed it words, and has trained it by avoiding verbalization, the brain cannot manufacture thoughts from a vacuum. Wherever there is usage of words and even if they take a macroscopic form, the vocal chords get activated. At a macroscopic level one can say silence means not speaking but when one looks at the microscopic level silence means the de-activation of the vocal cord. Silence is a restraint of mind, speech and body. Laughing, chanting, clapping or shouting are against the principles of silence so monks should abstain from them.
Mahavira said, “Speak, but speak only when it is absolutely necessary and only to Sravaka, listener."
In Jain literature Sravaka is a technical term, meaning one who surrenders to listening, who minds the words, who are within the listening limit. These people are rare who know how to listen. For this silence is more appropriate. Listening is more important than talking. Listening is the first of eight functions of mind. Listening is like eating. Digestion is more valuable than eating. Mahavira asked monks “Do not command. Speak in the language of sermons. Give sermons only those who are willing to listen.” Sermons are helpful to others.
Being truthful involves being humble and open to new discoveries, and yet accepting that there is no final or ultimate discovery. Truth means understanding and realizing the true nature of existence and the true nature of oneself; accepting reality as it is and being
136
