(The Buddha) was staying in Sravasti... "Bhikkhus, any ascetics or brahmins who do not understand aging and death, do not understand the cause of aging and death, do not understand the cessation of aging and death, and do not understand the path leading to the cessation of aging and death; who do not understand birth...(omitted)...existence, clinging, craving, feeling, contact, the six sense bases, name-and-form, consciousness, formations, do not understand the cause of formations, do not understand the cessation of formations, and do not understand the path leading to the cessation of formations; bhikkhus, I do not consider these ascetics or brahmins to be true ascetics among ascetics or true brahmins among brahmins. These venerable ones have not, in this very life, realized, attained, and abided in the fruit of asceticism or brahminhood by direct knowledge.

"However, bhikkhus, any ascetics or brahmins who understand aging and death, understand the cause of aging and death, understand the cessation of aging and death, and understand the path leading to the cessation of aging and death; who understand birth...(omitted)...existence, clinging, craving, feeling, contact, the six sense bases, name-and-form, consciousness, formations, understand the cause of formations, understand the cessation of formations, and understand the path leading to the cessation of formations; bhikkhus, I consider these ascetics or brahmins to be true ascetics among ascetics and true brahmins among brahmins. These venerable ones have indeed, in this very life, realized, attained, and abided in the fruit of asceticism and brahminhood by direct knowledge."

This is the third (discourse).

This discourse mainly discusses the Buddha's definition of true ascetics and brahmins. The Buddha emphasizes that only those who truly understand the law of dependent origination (from aging and death to formations) and their arising, cessation, and the path leading to cessation can be called true ascetics and brahmins, and can attain liberation in the present life.

Based on the text, let me explain in detail the twelve links of dependent origination:

1. Aging and Death

- This is the final fruit, referring to the aging and death of life

- It is a process that all beings must go through

- It includes the sorrow and suffering brought by aging and death

2. Birth

- Refers to the process of rebirth and birth

- Leads to the production of aging and death

- Includes the beginning of a new form of life

3. Existence

- Refers to the state of existence, the accumulation of karma

- Includes three states: sensual existence, form existence, and formless existence

- Leads to the production of new life

4. Clinging

- Attachment, grasping

- Includes clinging to sensual pleasures, views, rules and observances, and the doctrine of self

- Produces the continuation of existence due to attachment

5. Craving

- Thirst, desire for things

- Includes craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, and craving for non-existence

- Is one of the root causes of suffering

6. Feeling

- Sensation, including painful, pleasant, and neutral feelings

- Sensations produced by contact with external objects

- Leads to the arising of craving

7. Contact

- The contact between sense organs and objects

- The process of the six sense bases meeting with their respective objects

- Forms the basis for various sensations

8. Six Sense Bases

- Six sensory gateways: eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind

- Are the medium for consciousness to contact external objects

- Enable contact to occur

9. Name-and-Form

- The sum of mental and physical phenomena

- "Name" refers to mental phenomena, "form" refers to physical phenomena

- Forms the basis of individual existence

10. Consciousness

- Awareness, the function of cognition

- Includes eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body-consciousness, and mind-consciousness

- Interdependent with name-and-form

11. Formations

- Volitional activities, mental formations

- Includes bodily, verbal, and mental formations

- Produces karma, influencing future rebirth

12. Ignorance

- The most fundamental cause

- Lack of understanding of the Four Noble Truths

- Confusion about the true nature of reality

Deep Understanding:

1. Causal Relationship:

- These twelve links are mutually cause and effect, forming a cycle

- Each link is the effect of the previous one and the cause of the next

- Breaking any link can cease the entire cycle of rebirth

2. Insights for Practice:

- Understanding dependent origination helps to eliminate self-attachment

- Realizing that all phenomena arise from causes and conditions

- Finding the key points for liberation

3. Practical Significance:

- Helps us recognize the root of suffering

- Points out the direction of liberation

- Provides specific methods for practice

4. Wisdom Inspiration:

- Seeing clearly the nature of life

- Understanding the truth of phenomena

- Cultivating the wisdom of non-self

5. Path to Liberation:

- Starting with ignorance, cultivating wisdom

- Eliminating craving, removing attachments

- Finally reaching nirvana and liberation

Understanding the twelve links of dependent origination is not just theoretical knowledge, but more importantly, it is to be realized through practice. It reveals the truth of life, points out the direction of liberation, and is one of the most profound and practical teachings in Buddhism. Through deep understanding and practice, we can gradually move towards true liberation.

This discourse deeply explores one of the core teachings of Buddhism - the law of dependent origination, while also setting clear standards for true practitioners. Let's analyze it step by step:

1. Background of the Discourse:

The Buddha was in Sravasti, giving a discourse to the bhikkhus, explaining his definition of true practitioners.

2. Core Content:

The Buddha emphasizes that true ascetics (practitioners) and brahmins (religious teachers) must deeply understand:

- Aging and death, their cause, cessation, and the path leading to their cessation

- Birth, existence, clinging, craving, feeling, contact, the six sense bases, name-and-form, consciousness, formations, and other links of dependent origination

- The cause, cessation, and the path leading to the cessation of these links

3. Comparison of Two Types of People:

Those who do not understand the above:

   - Are not considered true ascetics or brahmins

   - Cannot attain liberation in the present life

Those who understand the above:

   - Are considered true ascetics or brahmins

   - Can attain liberation in the present life

4. Deeper Meaning:

This discourse reveals the core of Buddhist practice - a deep understanding of the law of dependent origination. It is not just theoretical knowledge, but wisdom that needs to be truly comprehended and experienced through practice.

5. Inspirational Thoughts:

This discourse prompts us to deeply reflect on the nature of life and the essence of spiritual practice. It tells us:

1) The importance of knowledge: External identity or titles are not enough; true practice lies in the insight into the truth of life.

2) The necessity of practice: Understanding dependent origination is not just cognitive recognition but needs to be personally experienced through practice.

3) The possibility of liberation: The discourse points out that through correct understanding and practice, we can attain liberation in the present life, which gives us great hope and motivation.

4) Transcending religious boundaries: The Buddha's teachings transcend specific religious identities, emphasizing the understanding of the nature of life.

5) The interconnectedness of life: Dependent origination reveals the interconnectedness of life phenomena, inspiring us to view life from a more macroscopic and deeper perspective.

This discourse enlightens us that true wisdom lies not in external identity or knowledge, but in a profound insight into the nature of life. It encourages us to continually explore, deeply understand the mysteries of life, verify the truth through practice, and ultimately achieve true inner freedom and liberation. This wisdom can not only help us face life's challenges but also guide us towards higher spiritual realms, achieving true self-transcendence.