While staying at Savatthi, the Buddha said: "Bhikkhus, those ascetics or brahmins who do not fully understand aging and death, who do not fully understand the origin of aging and death, who do not fully understand the cessation of aging and death, who do not fully understand the path leading to the cessation of aging and death, who do not fully understand birth... existence... clinging... craving... feeling... contact... the six sense bases... name-and-form... consciousness... formations... the origin of formations... the cessation of formations... the path leading to the cessation of formations - these ascetics or brahmins are not regarded as true ascetics or brahmins. These venerable ones have not realized and attained the fruit of asceticism or brahminhood in this present life through their own direct knowledge.

However, bhikkhus, those ascetics or brahmins who fully understand aging and death, who fully understand the origin of aging and death, who fully understand the cessation of aging and death, who fully understand the path leading to the cessation of aging and death, who fully understand birth... existence... clinging... craving... feeling... contact... the six sense bases... name-and-form... consciousness... formations... the origin of formations... the cessation of formations... the path leading to the cessation of formations - these ascetics or brahmins are regarded as true ascetics and brahmins. These venerable ones have realized and attained the fruit of asceticism and brahminhood in this present life through their own direct knowledge."

This is the ninth discourse.

This discourse emphasizes the importance of deeply understanding the twelve links of dependent origination for true practitioners. The Buddha points out that only those who fully comprehend these concepts can be called true ascetics or brahmins and can achieve the goals of practice in this present life. This reflects Buddhism's unified emphasis on knowledge and practice, as well as the importance placed on direct experience.

Key Points of the Discourse:

1. Depth of Knowledge: The Buddha emphasizes "complete understanding" of life processes (twelve links of dependent origination). This goes beyond surface understanding to deep insight into the nature of each link.

2. Comprehensiveness: The text lists aspects from aging and death to formations, showing Buddhism's attention to the entire process of life. This comprehensive observation is the foundation for gaining true wisdom.

3. Unity of Theory and Practice: The Buddha indicates that true ascetics or brahmins not only understand these concepts but can realize and attain fruition in this present life. This emphasizes the importance of unifying knowledge and action.

4. Importance of Direct Experience: The text emphasizes "through one's own direct knowledge," showing Buddhism's emphasis on personal experience rather than just theoretical learning.

5. Goals of Practice: The discourse clearly states that true practice should lead to actual results in this present life, rather than empty talk or distant promises.

Reflections from this Discourse:

1. Nature of Knowledge: We often think knowing is enough, but the Buddha tells us that true knowledge is deep, comprehensive, and must transform into actual experience.

2. Complexity of Life: The concept of twelve links reveals life's complexity. This reminds us that truly understanding ourselves and the world requires comprehensive, deep observation and reflection.

3. Essence of Practice: True practice isn't about escaping reality but deeply understanding it and achieving transformation within reality.

4. Self-Examination: This discourse provides a standard for us to reflect on whether our practice truly touches the essence or remains at surface understanding.

5. Nature of Wisdom: True wisdom isn't just accumulation of knowledge but insight into life's essence and the ability for practical transformation.

This discourse shows us that the true path of practice is challenging and profound. It requires us to continuously deepen our understanding of life, challenge our cognitive limits, and transform this understanding into lived experience. It's an ongoing process requiring an open, humble, and diligent attitude.

In this world full of temptations and distractions, these teachings of the Buddha point us toward a path to true freedom and wisdom. They invite us to explore life's deep mysteries, challenge our habitual thought patterns, and seek our truly free self beyond birth and death. This is an exciting journey and a great challenge, but it's precisely this challenge that makes our lives richer and more meaningful.