Silence as Communication: Indian Philosophical Perspectives

Abstract

This study examines mauna (silence) as a foundational communicative and philosophical principle within Indian traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Contrary to Western linear models that equate communication with verbal transmission, Indian philosophy conceives silence as an active, conscious state that embodies realization, mindfulness, and moral restraint. Through a qualitative hermeneutic–comparative approach, this research interprets classical scriptures such as the Upaniṣads, Nikāyas, and Ācārāṅga Sūtra alongside modern intercultural communication theories. The findings reveal that silence operates as a triadic paradigm: realization (jñāna) in Hinduism, mindful awareness (prajñā) in Buddhism, and ethical restraint (ahimsa) in Jainism. These dimensions fit into what this study terms the Integrated Indian Communicative Paradigm, a framework in which silence transcends verbal boundaries to become a medium of spiritual insight, moral discipline, and empathetic dialogue. The research concludes that silence, far from negating communication, manifests as its highest form, a state of conscious presence that unites thought, morality, and awareness, offering vital implications for contemporary communication ethics and intercultural understanding.