Why do monks have to take a vow of silence?

Answer 1

They don't. This is a common misconception. Most monks are able to talk freely and lead quite normal lives, although their lives are ones of hard work. Most orders of monks, like Fransiscans and Benedictines lead communal lives revolved around prayer, communal work, service to others, learning and study and discipline.

However, there are some orders where talk and especially idle talk, is discouraged (although not banned). The most famous of these is the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance(O.C.S.O.: Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae), or Trappists, so called after the place where the movement started - La Trappe in France. However, contrary to popular belief,they do not take a vow of silence. Trappist monks will generally only speak when necessary, and idle talk is strongly discouraged. This enables the monks to spend more time in prayer, especially contemplative prayer, without outside distraction.

Temporary silence is sometimes experienced by all sorts of Christian people voluntarily. In the community at Taize, France, silence plays a very important part in worship; sometimes the silence lasts half an hour or more. On a visit to Taize a few years ago, it was quite something to experience the atmosphere of prayer when 500+ people in the church there spent 20 mins or so in total silence in the service. Some denominations use silence in their worship - the Quaker worship is almost total silence for an hour or more. In many denominations people go on retreat in a monastery or retreat house for a weekend or even a week, where they are expected to be silent all the time - again to avoid distraction from prayer and spiritual refreshment.

Answer 2

Because to become enlightened one must cease to create any kind of Karma and speaking can create Karma, through gossip etc. The vow of silence doesn't usually mean no speech at all, more commonly it means no unnecessary speech (it would be acceptable to ask someone to pass the salt for instance).

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Catholic AnswerCatholic monks do not take a vow of silence. The classic religious vows are poverty, chastity, and obedience. Monks take vows of stability (remain in their monastery until death), conversatio morum (roughly translated as conversion of manners - taking the monk's way of life as yours), and obedience. Conversatio morum covers poverty and chastity. Silence is one of the practices of the more strict monastic orders, such as the Carthusians, who are actually hermits, and the Cisterians of the Strict Observance (Trappists).

Answer 3

The Carthusian Monks and Nuns take a vow of silence. in fact they keep silence in their cells during the day as they pray, when they eat in the refectory, in the liturgy, there are long periods of silence, no music, and "Gregorian chant to help the internal conversation." the Monks only are allowed to speak during a 4 hour hike to get to know each other.

I found this information at this website: (link below)

Answer 4

Roman Catholic AnswerCistercian monks are a reform of Benedictine monks, they take the same vows:

Conversion of manners,

Stability,

Obedience.

No "vow of silence"

Answer 5

Catholic AnswerNo, Benedictine monks take three vows:

1) Stability

2) Conversion of manners

3) Obedience

Answer 6

mute ones