What is the equality complex?

Session Q&A with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn, Thay. Plum Village practice center, France.

(Half bell)

(Bell)

At the beginning of our practice session
each morning here in Plum Village

and also last year during the US tour,

we were invited to transform
the delusive self

and to transform our inferiority,
superiority and equality complexes.

Friends in America have a great deal
of confusion and consternation

about the phrase 'equality complex'.

In our country, equality is not only
legally mandated,

but it is also a sort of buzzword
for the human rights movement.

I wonder if you could give me
and my friends more information

of how to practice and hold
these complexes.

The complex of equality can bring
a lot of suffering also.

Equality will not bring suffering,

but complex of equality
will bring suffering.

(Laughter)

And we have to understand really
the meaning of the word 'equality'.

In Buddhism we have the word 'equanimity'.

In France we speak of
'liberté, egalité' (freedom, equality).

So we have to think a little bit
about equality as a quality, a virtue.

We know that the complex of superiority

is causing suffering
to us and to the other person.

The complex of inferiority,
low self-esteem,

can be the root
of many mental illnesses.

And we believe
that equality is the solution.

The right to be equal.

But when you practice
the teaching of the Buddha,

you go very deep.

We suffer because we compare
oneself with other selves.

I am better than him.

That is the complex of superiority.

I am worse, I cannot
catch up with him.

The complex of inferiority.

I am his equal.

That is also a complex.

So you try to be equal.

You try to prove that 'I am equal'.

So you still suffer.

But in the teaching of Buddhism,
there is no self.

There is no comparison,
so the happiness is perfect.

(Laughter)

The happiness is perfect,
you don't compare anymore

and you see that: 'Darling,
you are me and I am you.

Your suffering is my suffering,
your happiness is my happiness.'

It is much deeper.

That is why the insight of interbeing
is very important.

When you meditate you see

that we only inter-are,

you cannot be by yourself alone,

you have to interbe with the other person.

That is why in Plum Village we say:

'You are, therefore I am.'

We inter-are.

That is why we don't see an individual
who suffers alone

and who is happy alone.

We see a couple living in harmony

and considering the happiness
of the other person as his happiness,

the suffering of the other person
as her suffering.

So harmony is the base
of peace and happiness.

Harmony has the insight
of interbeing as the base.

In the practice of mindfulness,

not only we try to remove
the complex of superiority,

the complex of inferiority,

but also the complex of equality.

'I am as good as you!

I claim the right to be
as good as him', and so on.

There is still a self and therefore
there is always a comparison.

As far as you continue
to compare, you suffer.

But with the insight of interbeing,

you don't compare anymore
because you are him and he is you.

There is harmony, peace and happiness.

I think that is simple enough

for our friends to understand.

Good luck!

(Laughter)

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