In Sravasti. A monk came to the place of the World-Honored One, bowed to the World-Honored One, and sat to one side. After sitting down, the monk said to the World-Honored One: "Venerable sir, people often say 'Dhamma teacher, Dhamma teacher'. Venerable sir, to what extent can one be called a Dhamma teacher?"

"Monk, if someone teaches the Dhamma for the purpose of dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards old age and death, this is sufficient to call him a 'monk who teaches the Dhamma'. If a monk practices for the purpose of dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards old age and death, this is sufficient to call him a 'monk who practices in accordance with the Dhamma'. If a monk, through dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards old age and death, is liberated without clinging, this is sufficient to call him a 'monk who has attained Nibbana in this very life'.

Similarly, monk, if someone teaches the Dhamma for the purpose of dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards birth... existence... clinging... craving... feeling... contact... the six sense bases... name-and-form... consciousness... volitional formations... ignorance, this is sufficient to call him a 'monk who teaches the Dhamma'. If a monk practices for the purpose of dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards ignorance, this is sufficient to call him a 'monk who practices in accordance with the Dhamma'. If a monk, through dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards ignorance, is liberated without clinging, this is sufficient to call him a 'monk who has attained Nibbana in this very life'."

Explanation

1. This passage explains what it means to be a true "Dhamma teacher," "one who practices in accordance with the Dhamma," and "one who has attained Nibbana."

2. The Buddha points out that true teaching of the Dhamma is not just explaining doctrines, but guiding people to develop dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards the roots of the cycle of birth and death (old age and death, birth, existence, clinging, craving, etc.).

3. The purpose of practice is to develop dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards these roots.

4. The ultimate goal is to achieve liberation without clinging through this dispassion, detachment, and cessation, which is Nibbana.

5. The Buddha emphasizes that this understanding and practice should be applied to each link of the twelve-fold dependent origination, from ignorance to old age and death.

This passage concisely expresses the core goals and methods of Buddhist practice, emphasizing the importance of developing a profound understanding of and completely letting go of the fundamental causes of the cycle of birth and death.

Deeper Meaning and Insights

1. True Dhamma Teacher:

   The Buddha indicates that a true Dhamma teacher doesn't just spread knowledge, but guides people to deeply reflect on the nature of life. This reflection should lead to dispassion towards the cycle of birth and death, detachment from worldly desires, and cessation of the roots of suffering. This insight reminds us that true wisdom is not an accumulation of knowledge, but a profound insight into the nature of life.

2. Essence of Practice:

   The Buddha emphasizes that true practice is for developing dispassion, detachment, and cessation towards the roots of the cycle of birth and death. This shows that practice is not for gaining supernatural powers or worldly benefits, but for complete liberation from the sea of suffering of birth and death. This inspires us to reflect: What is the true purpose of our practice?

3. State of Liberation:

   The text mentions "liberation without clinging" and "attaining Nibbana in this very life," describing the highest state of practice. It suggests a state of freedom beyond worldly desires and attachments. This inspires us to consider: What is true freedom? How can we attain inner peace and freedom?

4. Importance of Dependent Origination:

   The Buddha applies this attitude of dispassion, detachment, and cessation to each link of the twelve-fold dependent origination, from ignorance to old age and death. This emphasizes Buddhism's deep observation and understanding of the entire process of life. This insight reminds us that to truly understand life, we need to deeply observe and reflect on all aspects of life.

Twelve-fold Dependent Origination

The twelve-fold dependent origination is a core teaching in Buddhism, explaining in detail the process and causes of the cycle of rebirth. Here's a detailed explanation of the twelve links:

1. Ignorance:

   - This refers to the lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of the Four Noble Truths, which is the root of all suffering.

   - It includes incorrect perceptions of the nature of life, such as seeing the impermanent as permanent, suffering as happiness, and non-self as self.

2. Volitional Formations:

   - These refer to the intentional activities or mental formations caused by ignorance.

   - These behaviors and thought patterns shape our karma.

3. Consciousness:

   - This refers to the faculty of consciousness or cognitive ability.

   - It's the bridge connecting the previous life and the current life, and is also the basic element constituting an individual.

4. Name-and-Form:

   - "Name" refers to mental phenomena, while "Form" refers to material phenomena.

   - This represents a complete psycho-physical complex.

5. Six Sense Bases:

   - This refers to the six senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) and their corresponding cognitive objects.

   - This is the basis for an individual's contact with the external world.

6. Contact:

   - This refers to the contact between the senses and external objects.

   - This is the direct cause of feelings.

7. Feeling:

   - This refers to the sensations produced by contact, which can be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.

   - These feelings guide our behavioral responses.

8. Craving:

   - This refers to the desire for and attachment to pleasant feelings.

   - This is one of the main causes leading to suffering and rebirth.

9. Clinging:

   - This refers to stronger attachment, including attachment to sensual desires, views, precepts and practices, and the self.

   - This deepens our entanglement with the world.

10. Becoming:

    - This refers to the state of existence or the process of becoming.

    - This is the stage where a new form of life is preparing to form.

11. Birth:

    - This refers to the birth of a new life.

    - This marks the beginning of a new life cycle.

12. Aging and Death:

    - This refers to the process of aging and death.

    - This includes various sufferings in life, such as sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair.

These twelve links form a cycle, interdependent and mutually causal. Understanding the twelve-fold dependent origination helps us:

1. Recognize that the nature of life is interdependent.

2. Understand that the root of suffering lies in ignorance and attachment.

3. Find ways to break this cycle, namely through wisdom and practice to eliminate ignorance.

4. Understand the mechanisms of karma and rebirth.

5. Recognize that changing any link can potentially affect the entire cycle, thus finding the possibility of liberation.

Through a deep understanding of the twelve-fold dependent origination, we can better grasp the nature of life and find ways to reduce suffering and attain liberation. This is not just a philosophical reflection, but also a practical guide, helping us cultivate mindfulness in daily life, reduce attachment, and ultimately reach the state of liberation.

Additional Insights

5. Progressive Path of Practice:

   The text mentions three levels: the Dhamma teacher, the one who practices in accordance with the Dhamma, and the one who has attained Nibbana. This suggests that practice is a gradual process, from understanding to practice, and finally to realization. This insight is that practice requires patience and continuous effort; we cannot expect instant results.

6. Attitude Towards Life:

   The text repeatedly mentions "dispassion, detachment, cessation," which seems to suggest a negative attitude towards life. However, this actually represents a deeper understanding and transcendence of life. It inspires us to consider: How can we live a more meaningful and valuable life based on understanding the nature of life?

This passage, although brief, contains the core ideas of Buddhist practice. It invites us to deeply contemplate the nature of life, challenges our traditional understanding of happiness and freedom, and guides us towards a deeper level of self-awareness and spiritual liberation. In this world full of disturbances and desires, this ancient wisdom provides us with a path to inner peace and true freedom.