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“Here, Mahānāma, a lay follower dwells at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, open-handed, clean-handed, delighting in giving, responsive to requests, delighting in the distribution of gifts – to this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is accomplished in generosity.” “To what extent, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in wisdom?” “Here, Mahānāma, a lay follower is wise, endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, noble, penetrative, leading to the right destruction of suffering – to this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is accomplished in wisdom.” The Seventh. 8. The Discourse on Rain 1034. “Just as, bhikkhus, when a heavy-raining cloud pours down on a mountain top, that water, flowing down according to the slope, fills the mountain clefts, fissures, and gullies; when the mountain clefts, fissures, and gullies are full, they fill the small pools; when the small pools are full, they fill the large pools; when the large pools are full, they fill the small rivers; when the small rivers are full, they fill the great rivers; when the great rivers are full, they fill the great ocean; in the same way, bhikkhus, the unshakeable faith of a noble disciple in the Buddha, the unshakeable faith in the Dhamma, the unshakeable faith in the Saṅgha, and the virtues dear to the noble ones – these qualities, flowing on, go to the other shore and conduce to the destruction of the taints.” The Eighth. 9. The Discourse to Kāḷigodhā One time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans, at Kapilavatthu, in Nigrodha's Park. Then the Blessed One, in the forenoon, having dressed, and taking his bowl and robe, went to the dwelling of Kāḷigodhā the Sakyan woman; having gone there, he sat down on the seat prepared. Then Kāḷigodhā the Sakyan woman went to where the Blessed One was; having gone there, she paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. To Kāḷigodhā the Sakyan woman, seated to one side, the Blessed One said this: "Possessed of four qualities, Godhā, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, no longer subject to falling into states of woe, certain of liberation, bound for enlightenment." "Which four?" "Here, Godhā, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Buddha: 'Indeed, that Blessed One is Arahant... teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.'" "...in the Dhamma..." "...in the Saṅgha..." "and dwells at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, open-handed, pure in hand, delighting in relinquishment, responsive to requests, delighting in the distribution of alms." "Possessed of these four qualities, Godhā, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, no longer subject to falling into states of woe, certain of liberation, bound for enlightenment." "Venerable sir, these four factors of stream-entry that have been taught by the Blessed One— these qualities are found in me, and I see myself in these qualities." "For I, Venerable sir, am endowed with unwavering confidence in the Buddha: 'Indeed, that Blessed One is Arahant... teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.'" "...in the Dhamma..." "...in the Saṅgha..." "And whatever there is in my family that is fit to be given, all of it is shared without reservation with the virtuous, with those of good qualities." "It is your gain, Godhā, it is well gained by you, Godhā! The fruit of stream-entry has been declared by you, Godhā." The Ninth. 10. The Discourse to Nandiya the Sakyan One time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans, at Kapilavatthu, in Nigrodha's Park. Then Nandiya the Sakyan went to where the Blessed One was; having gone there, he... He bowed down and sat to one side. Seated to one side, Nandi the Sakyan said to the Blessed One: "If, Venerable Sir, a noble disciple does not possess the four factors of stream-entry in every way, in all respects, in all ways, is that noble disciple, Venerable Sir, one who dwells in heedlessness?" "If, Nandi, one does not possess the four factors of stream-entry in every way, in all respects, in all ways, I say that one stands outside, in the camp of the ordinary folk. But listen, Nandi, to how a noble disciple is both one who dwells in heedlessness and one who dwells in heedfulness. Attend carefully; I will speak." "Yes, Venerable Sir," Nandi the Sakyan replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "And how, Nandi, is a noble disciple one who dwells in heedlessness? Here, Nandi, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha: 'Indeed, that Blessed One is... ...the Teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.' Content with that unwavering faith in the Buddha, he does not strive further for seclusion by day, for retreat by night. As he dwells thus heedlessly, joy does not arise for him. When there is no joy, rapture does not arise. When there is no rapture, tranquility does not arise. When there is no tranquility, he dwells in suffering. When suffering, his mind is not concentrated. When his mind is not concentrated, the teachings do not become manifest. From the non-manifestation of the teachings, he is reckoned as one who dwells in heedlessness. "Furthermore, Nandi, a noble disciple is endowed with the Dhamma... ...with the Sangha... ...with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken... ...conducive to concentration. Content with those virtues dear to the noble ones, he does not strive further for seclusion by day, for retreat by night. As he dwells thus heedlessly, joy does not arise for him. When there is no joy, rapture does not arise. When there is no rapture, tranquility does not arise. When there is no tranquility, he dwells in suffering. When suffering, his mind is not concentrated. When his mind is not concentrated, the teachings do not become manifest. Due to the non-manifestation of the truths, he is reckoned as one dwelling in heedlessness. Thus, indeed, Nandiya, a noble disciple dwells in heedlessness. And how, Nandiya, does a noble disciple dwell in heedfulness? Here, Nandiya, 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. Not content with that unwavering faith in the Buddha, he strives further for seclusion by day and retreat by night. As he dwells thus heedfully, joy arises. To the joyful, rapture arises. With a rapturous mind, the body becomes tranquil. With a tranquil body, he experiences happiness. To the happy, the mind becomes concentrated. With a concentrated mind, the truths manifest. Due to the manifestation of the truths, he is reckoned as one dwelling in heedfulness. Furthermore, Nandiya, a noble disciple (is endowed with unwavering faith in) the Dhamma… (etc.)… the Saṅgha… (etc.)… and is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… (etc.)… conducive to concentration. Not content with those virtues dear to the noble ones, he strives further for seclusion by day and retreat by night. As he dwells thus heedfully, joy arises. To the joyful, rapture arises. With a rapturous mind, the body becomes tranquil. With a tranquil body, he experiences happiness. To the happy, the mind becomes concentrated. With a concentrated mind, the truths manifest. Due to the manifestation of the truths, he is reckoned as one dwelling in heedfulness. Thus, indeed, Nandiya, a noble disciple dwells in heedfulness. The Tenth. The Fourth Chapter on Streams of Merit. Its summary – Three streams (of merit) were spoken of, and two divine paths; Sabhāgata, Mahānāma, Vassa, Kāḷī, and Nandiya. 5. The Chapter on Streams of Merit with Verses 1. The First Discourse on Streams of Merit “Monks, there are these four streams of merit, streams of wholesome deeds, sources of happiness. Which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – thus indeed is that Blessed One… (etc.)… teacher of gods and humans… to the Buddha, the Blessed One. This is the first stream of merit, a stream of skillfulness, a sustenance of happiness. Again, furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple to the Dhamma… to the Saṅgha… Again, furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple is endowed with the noble virtues, unbroken… leading to concentration. This is the fourth stream of merit, a stream of skillfulness, a sustenance of happiness. These, bhikkhus, are the four streams of merit, streams of skillfulness, sustenances of happiness. For a noble disciple, bhikkhus, endowed with these four streams of merit, streams of skillfulness, it is not easy to calculate the measure of merit— ‘so much is the stream of merit, the stream of skillfulness, the sustenance of happiness.’ Rather, it is reckoned as an immeasurable, incalculable, great mass of merit. Just as, bhikkhus, in the great ocean, it is not easy to calculate the measure of water— ‘so many measures of water,’ or ‘so many hundreds of measures of water,’ or ‘so many thousands of measures of water,’ or ‘so many hundreds of thousands of measures of water.’ Rather, it is reckoned as an immeasurable, incalculable, great mass of water. Even so, bhikkhus, for a noble disciple, endowed with these four streams of merit, streams of skillfulness, it is not easy to calculate the measure of merit— ‘so much is the stream of merit, the stream of skillfulness, the sustenance of happiness.’ Rather, it is reckoned as an immeasurable, incalculable, great mass of merit. This the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, then said further: As rivers, frequented by crowds of people, flow in various ways and reach the ocean, the immeasurable, great lake, full of many terrors, an abode of many jewels; Even so, streams of merit reach the wise person who gives food, drink, and clothing, who gives beds and coverings, just as water-bearing rivers reach the ocean. Thus. First; 2. The Second Discourse on Streams of Merit 1038. “There are these four, monks, streams of merit, streams of skillfulness,