# Five fingers arguing who is most important

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Analogy
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-five-fingers-argue
- Themes: analogy, ego, community, humour
- Life situations: office politics, sangha

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Fable: five fingers argue supremacy — mirror of egos asking who matters most in the Buddhist society.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

five fingers. Once upon a time there were five fingers and they were arguing which finger is the most important. You know that human beings like to do this, who's the most important? Who's the most important person in our Buddhist society? Is it the head monk, the head nun? Is it the committee? Who's the most important person in this Buddhist society

## Teaching point

A hand that argues with itself cannot hold anything.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Five fingers argued over which was most important. The thumb boasted strength, the index finger wisdom, and on they went. We do the same in families, workplaces and temples: who matters most? Every finger is needed to hold anything. Stop ranking and start cooperating.

## Source

- [Emotional Intelligence | Ajahn Brahm | 13 May 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLnzgJSbnNE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 10:43 to 11:12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLnzgJSbnNE&t=643s