(The Buddha) was staying in Sāvatthī... (The Buddha said:) "Monks, any ascetics or brahmins who do not understand these phenomena, do not understand the arising of these phenomena, do not understand the cessation of these phenomena, and do not understand the path leading to the cessation of these phenomena - which phenomena do they not understand? Which phenomena's arising do they not understand? Which phenomena's cessation do they not understand? Which path leading to the cessation of which phenomena do they not understand?"

"They do not understand aging and death, do not understand the arising 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. They do not understand birth... (omitted)... existence, clinging, craving, feeling, contact, the six sense bases, name-and-form, consciousness, formations; they do not understand the arising of formations, do not understand the cessation of formations, and do not understand the path leading to the cessation of formations. These are the phenomena they do not understand, the arising of these phenomena they do not understand, the cessation of these phenomena they do not understand, and the path leading to the cessation of these phenomena they do not understand. Monks, 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 dwelt in the fruit of asceticism or brahminhood through their own direct knowledge."

"However, monks, any ascetics or brahmins who understand these phenomena, understand the arising of these phenomena, understand the cessation of these phenomena, and understand the path leading to the cessation of these phenomena - which phenomena do they understand? Which phenomena's arising do they understand? Which phenomena's cessation do they understand? Which path leading to the cessation of which phenomena do they understand?"

"They understand aging and death, understand the arising of aging and death, understand the cessation of aging and death, and understand the path leading to the cessation of aging and death. They understand birth... (omitted)... existence, clinging, craving, feeling, contact, the six sense bases, name-and-form, consciousness, formations; they understand the arising of formations, understand the cessation of formations, and understand the path leading to the cessation of formations. These are the phenomena they understand, the arising of these phenomena they understand, the cessation of these phenomena they understand, and the path leading to the cessation of these phenomena they understand. Monks, 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 dwelt in the fruit of asceticism and brahminhood through their own direct knowledge."

This is the fourth (discourse).

This discourse further emphasizes the importance of understanding the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and uses it as a criterion to distinguish genuine practitioners from non-genuine ones. The Buddha elaborates on each link from aging-and-death to formations, stressing that true practitioners should comprehensively understand these phenomena, their arising, cessation, and the path leading to their cessation.

The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination is a crucial teaching in Buddhism that explains the cycle of rebirth and the root of suffering. It describes a causal cycle showing how various phenomena are interdependent and lead to the continuation of life and the production of suffering. Here's a detailed explanation of the Twelve Links:

1. Ignorance:

   - Meaning: Lack of understanding of the Four Noble Truths, misunderstanding of reality.

   - Function: It's the starting point of the cycle, leading to the production of all other links.

2. Formations:

   - Meaning: Mental activities and volition, including thoughts, intentions, and behavioral tendencies.

   - Function: Driven by ignorance, they form karma, influencing future existence.

3. Consciousness:

   - Meaning: Awareness or cognitive ability.

   - Function: Provides the basis of consciousness for new life, connecting past and present lives.

4. Name-and-Form:

   - Meaning: "Name" refers to mental phenomena, "Form" to physical phenomena.

   - Function: Constitutes the mental and physical basis of individual existence.

5. Six Sense Bases:

   - Meaning: Six sensory organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind).

   - Function: Provides channels for contact with the external world.

6. Contact:

   - Meaning: The meeting of sense organs with external objects.

   - Function: Forms the basis for producing sensations.

7. Feeling:

   - Meaning: Sensations produced by contact (pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral).

   - Function: Triggers reactions to experiences.

8. Craving:

   - Meaning: Desire and attachment to pleasant sensations.

   - Function: One of the main causes leading to suffering.

9. Clinging:

   - Meaning: Stronger attachment and possessiveness.

   - Function: Intensifies attachment to things, driving the continuation of existence.

10. Becoming:

    - Meaning: The state or process of existence.

    - Function: Leads to the production of new forms of life.

11. Birth:

    - Meaning: The beginning of a new life.

    - Function: Marks the start of a new round of existence in the cycle of rebirth.

12. Aging-and-Death:

    - Meaning: The process of aging and death.

    - Function: Completes a life cycle, while also generating sorrow, pain, etc., due to attachment.

Key points in understanding the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination:

1. Interdependence: Each link depends on the previous one and influences the next.

2. Cyclical nature: This is not a linear process but a cycle, where aging-and-death leads back to new ignorance and formations.

3. Cessation of suffering: By breaking this cycle, especially by eliminating ignorance and craving-clinging, one can achieve the cessation of suffering.

4. Non-determinism: Although it describes causal relationships, it doesn't imply fatalism. Through enlightenment and practice, one can change this process.

5. Present application: While often used to explain the cycle of rebirth, it can also be applied to understand our daily experiences and reaction patterns.

6. Practice guide: Understanding the Twelve Links provides direction for Buddhist practice, pointing out key areas for observation and transformation.

7. Middle Way thinking: The Twelve Links embody the Buddhist concept of the Middle Way, neither completely negating existence nor clinging to an eternal self.

Through deep understanding and observation of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, practitioners can gradually reduce attachment, increase wisdom, and ultimately reach the state of liberation. This requires continuous practice, observation, and introspection, and is a core aspect of Buddhist practice.

This discourse deeply expounds on the importance of core Buddhist teachings and proposes a standard for measuring true practitioners. Let's analyze it in depth:

1. Structure of the discourse:

   - The Buddha first raises questions, pointing out the danger of lack of understanding

   - Then he lists in detail what is not understood

   - Next, he explains the importance of understanding these contents

   - Finally, he gives a definition of true practitioners

2. Core content: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

   The discourse repeatedly emphasizes the understanding of the Twelve Links, including:

   - Each link itself

   - The cause of the arising of each link

   - The cessation of each link

   - The method leading to the cessation of each link

3. Standards for true practitioners:

   - Not just external identity or title

   - The key lies in a profound understanding of the nature of life

   - Emphasizes the importance of practice and personal experience

4. Levels of wisdom:

   - Surface knowledge is not enough

   - Need for deep understanding of cause and effect relationships

   - The ultimate goal is to personally realize liberation

5. Purpose of practice:

   - Not for fame or status

   - But for realizing liberation in the present

   - Emphasizes realization "in this very life," i.e., in this world and this lifetime

Deep reflections:

1. Distinction between knowledge and wisdom:

   This discourse reminds us that true wisdom is not just knowing "what," but more importantly understanding "why" and "how." It encourages us to go beyond surface knowledge and deeply explore the nature of life.

2. Importance of practice:

   Mere theoretical understanding is not enough. The Buddha emphasizes "realizing, attaining, and dwelling through one's own direct knowledge," reminding us that true wisdom comes from personal experience and practice.

3. Interconnectedness of life:

   By explaining the Twelve Links in detail, the discourse reveals the interconnectedness of life phenomena. This perspective can help us move beyond a narrow self-centered view and cultivate a broader, more compassionate worldview.

4. Possibility of liberation:

   The discourse clearly states that through correct understanding and practice, we can attain liberation in the present. This gives us great hope and motivation, inspiring us to practice diligently.

5. Importance of going beyond appearances:

   The Buddha emphasizes that true practitioners are not defined by external identity, but by internal understanding and realization. This inspires us to look beyond surface phenomena and explore deeper truths.

6. Necessity of comprehensive understanding:

   The discourse emphasizes the comprehensive understanding of each link, including its arising, cessation, and the path leading to cessation. This reminds us that true wisdom requires comprehensive, systematic understanding, not partial or superficial knowledge.

This discourse is not just a theoretical framework but also a practical guide. It invites us to deeply contemplate the nature of life, challenges our fixed notions about self and the world, and encourages us to verify the truth through personal experience. In this way, we can not only enhance our wisdom but also gradually move towards true liberation, realizing the highest value of life. This pursuit of wisdom can not only change our personal lives but also bring profound impacts to the entire society, guiding us towards a more awakened and harmonious state of existence.