the wisdom of nondiscrimination

   

 

 

 

 

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My right hand has written all the poems
that I have composed.
My left hand has not written a single poem.
But my right hand does not think,
‘Left Hand, you are good for nothing.’  

My right hand does not have a superiority complex.
That is why it is very happy.
My left hand does not have any complex at all.
In my two hands there is the kind of wisdom
called the wisdom of nondiscrimination.

One day I was hammering a nail
and my right hand was not very accurate
and instead of pounding on the nail
it pounded on my finger. 

It put the hammer down and took care
of my left hand in a very tender way,
as if it were taking care of itself.

It did not say, ‘Left Hand, you have to remember
that I have taken good care of you
and you have to pay me back in the future.’ 

There was no such thinking…

And my left hand did not say,
‘Right Hand, you have done me a lot of harm
— give me that hammer, I want justice.’ 

My two hands know that they are members
of one body; they are in each other.


—Thich Nhat Hanh

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