English
To Nandaka, the Licchavi chief minister, sitting to one side, the Blessed One said this – “Nandaka, endowed with four qualities, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to downfall, certain, bound for enlightenment. Which four? Here, Nandaka, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – ‘Indeed, that Blessed One is… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.’ In the Dhamma… (etc.)… in the Saṅgha… (etc.)… he is endowed with virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… (etc.)… conducive to concentration. Nandaka, endowed with these four qualities, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to downfall, certain, bound for enlightenment. “Moreover, Nandaka, a noble disciple endowed with these four qualities is connected with life, both divine and human; connected with beauty, both divine and human; connected with happiness, both divine and human; connected with fame, both divine and human; connected with sovereignty, both divine and human. Nandaka, I do not say this having heard it from another ascetic or brahmin. Rather, what I have myself known, myself seen, myself understood, that I declare.” When this was said, a certain man said to Nandaka, the Licchavi chief minister, this He said, ‘‘It’s bathing time, venerable sir.’’ ‘‘Enough now, friend, with this outer bathing. This inner bathing will suffice, which is – faith in the Blessed One.’’ The Tenth. The Chapter on Refuges, the Third. Its Summary – Two were spoken by Mahānāma, and two by Godhā and Saraṇā; Two by Anāthapiṇḍika, and two by fear of enmity; The Licchavī is called the tenth, thus the chapter is proclaimed. 4. The Chapter on Streams of Merit 1. The First Discourse on Streams of Merit 1027. At Sāvatthī. ‘‘There are these four, monks, streams of merit, streams of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness. Which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – ‘Indeed, the Blessed One is… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.’ This is the first stream of merit, stream of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness. ‘‘Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Dhamma – ‘The Dhamma is well-proclaimed by the Blessed One… (etc.)… to be personally realized by the wise.’ This is the second stream of merit, stream of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness. ‘‘Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Saṅgha – ‘The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing well… (etc.)… an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.’ This is the third stream of merit, stream of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness. ‘‘Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… (etc.)… conducive to concentration. This is the fourth stream of merit, stream of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness. These, monks, are the four streams of merit, streams of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness.’’ The First. 2. The Second Discourse on Streams of Merit 1028. ‘‘There are these four, monks, streams of merit, streams of wholesome deeds, sustenance for happiness. Which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – ‘Indeed, the Blessed One is… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.’ This is the first influx of merit, influx of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness. ‘‘Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple in the Dhamma… (etc.)… in the Saṅgha… (etc.)…. ‘‘Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple dwells in a home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, open-handed, pure-handed, delighting in relinquishment, responsive to requests, delighting in sharing gifts. This is the fourth influx of merit, influx of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness. These, bhikkhus, are the four influxes of merit, influxes of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness.” Second. 3. The Third Discourse on Influxes of Merit 1029. ‘‘These, bhikkhus, are four influxes of merit, influxes of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness. Which four? Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – thus indeed is that Blessed One… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One. This is the first influx of merit, influx of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness. ‘‘Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple in the Dhamma… (etc.)… in the Saṅgha… (etc.)…. ‘‘Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple is wise, endowed with wisdom that sees rise and fall, noble, penetrative, leading to the right destruction of suffering. This is the fourth influx of merit, influx of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness. These, bhikkhus, are the four influxes of merit, influxes of skillfulness, nourishment for happiness.” Third. 4. The First Discourse on Divine Footprints 1030. At Sāvatthī. These, bhikkhus, are four divine footprints for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. Which four? Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – thus indeed is that Blessed One… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One. This is the first divine footprint for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. ‘‘Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple in the Dhamma… (etc.)… in the Saṅgha… (etc.)…. ‘‘Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple with noble-beloved and is endowed with virtues, unbroken... leading to concentration. This is the fourth divine path for devas, for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. These, monks, are the four divine paths for devas, for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. Fourth. 5. The Second Discourse on the Divine Path 1031. These four, monks, are divine paths for devas, for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. Which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha: "Thus indeed is the Blessed One... teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One." He thus reflects: "What, then, is the divine path for devas?" He thus understands: "I hear that the devas are supremely non-harming. And I do not harm anything, neither moving nor still. Surely I dwell endowed with the divine path's quality." This is the first divine path for devas, for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple in the Dhamma... in the Saṅgha... Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken... leading to concentration. He thus reflects: "What, then, is the divine path for devas?" He thus understands: "I hear that the devas are supremely non-harming. And I do not harm anything, neither moving nor still. Surely I dwell endowed with the divine path's quality." This is the fourth divine path for devas, for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. These, monks, are the four divine paths for devas, for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of unpurified beings. Fifth. 6. Dev The Discourse on Sharing 1032. “With four qualities, monks, the devas are pleased and declare one to be sharing. Which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha— ‘Indeed, that Blessed One is… …teacher of devas and humans, the Awakened One, the Blessed One.’ Those devas who are endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha, having passed away from here, are reborn there, they think thus: ‘With the kind of unwavering faith in the Buddha with which we were endowed, and having passed away from there, are reborn here, the noble disciple is also endowed with that kind of unwavering faith in the Buddha. Come, to the presence of the devas!’” “Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Dhamma… …in the Saṅgha… …is endowed with the noble, beloved virtues, unbroken… …conducive to concentration. Those devas who are endowed with the noble, beloved virtues, having passed away from here, are reborn there, they think thus: ‘With the kind of noble, beloved virtues with which we were endowed, and having passed away from there, are reborn here, the noble disciple is also endowed with that kind of noble, beloved virtues. Come, to the presence of the devas!’ With these four qualities, monks, the devas are pleased and declare one to be sharing.” The Sixth. 7. The Discourse to Mahānāma 1033. At one time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans in Kapilavatthu, at the Nigrodha Park. Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Mahānāma the Sakyan said to the Blessed One: “To what extent, venerable sir, is one a lay follower?” “When, Mahānāma, one has gone for refuge to the Buddha, has gone for refuge to the Dhamma, has gone for refuge to the Saṅgha— to that extent, Mahānāma, one is a lay follower.” “To what extent, venerable sir, is a lay follower endowed with virtue?” “When, Mahānāma, a lay follower abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct…” abstains from misconduct, abstains from false speech, abstains from intoxicating drinks and drugs, which are a basis for heedlessness, – to this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is accomplished in virtue.” “To what extent, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in faith?” “Here, Mahānāma, a lay follower is faithful, he has faith in the Tathāgata’s enlightenment – ‘Indeed, that Blessed One is… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans, the Awakened One, the Blessed One.’ To this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is accomplished in faith.” “To what extent, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in generosity?”