Do you truly believe that everyone has a rank?

In our lives, we often hear of the classes of rich and poor, of the educated and the common. Yet, Venerable Thích Chân Quang poses a different question: "Truly, humans are not equal. There is always distinction, some are superior, some are inferior." But does this distinction necessarily cause conflict? Or can it become a motivation for each person to strive forward?

**The First Rank: Where Does the Mind Turn?**

The Venerable One points out that true rank is not determined by lineage or wealth, but by "where our mind is directed." If you are obsessed with food and drink, you will create karma related to that. If you are obsessed with money, you will be caught in its endless spin. But if you orient yourself towards the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), you belong to "the rank of those who aspire toward a noble path." He emphasizes: "We belong to a different rank, the rank of those who aspire toward a noble path. Therefore, we are truly wonderful."

**The Second Rank: For Oneself or for Others?**

Another crucial division lies in our motivation for action. "Often, our starting point is personal motivation," the Venerable says. However, those who work for the benefit of the community, for the nation, or even for the globe, are truly worthy of esteem. "As for anyone who does not consider the nation's interest but only thinks of personal motives, their faction, their family, and their children, that is a kind of evil."

**The Third Rank: The Level of Spiritual Development**

In a spiritual classification, the Venerable One outlines three stages: those who have newly resolved to follow the path, those who are actively practicing, and those who have already attained realization. Those who have realization are often humble, "always bowing, sitting low, standing behind, ever modest and respectful." He sends his "affection and deep respect" to such masters, and encourages everyone to walk steadfastly on the path of cultivation.

**Rank According to the Buddha: No Conflict, Only Encouragement to Goodness**

Unlike ranks based on wealth or lineage which can easily spark conflict, rank according to the Buddha "does not create social conflict but has the quality of encouraging goodness, motivating people toward morality." The Venerable quotes the Buddha on four kinds of people: from darkness to darkness, from darkness to light, from light falling back to darkness, and from light continuing to light. This is an educational classification, not discrimination.

"The person going from darkness to darkness, from darkness to light, from light back to darkness, or from light onward to more light... it does not create social conflict. Instead, it has the quality of warning, encouraging, and educating human morality."

**A Message for the New Year: Choose a Single Direction**

The Venerable One wishes for every Buddhist to "forever choose a noble path to walk, so that our mind is not lost among many lowly directions." Do not let the mind become scattered between the Dharma and trivial pleasures. Be single-pointed, focused, and progress each day. "Each day we make progress is a day our kindness towards all others grows greater." That is the true measure of our practice.

Look within yourself: today, which rank do you belong to? And which rank do you wish to belong to in the future? The answer lies within your reach, in every single thought and action.