English
sustenance for happiness. Which four? Here, monks, 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.’ This is the first stream of merit, stream of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. “Again, furthermore, monks, a noble disciple in the Dhamma… …in the Saṅgha… “Again, furthermore, monks, a noble disciple dwells in a home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, open-handed, pure-handed, delighting in giving up, responsive to requests, delighting in sharing gifts. This is the fourth stream of merit, stream of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. These, monks, are the four streams of merit, streams of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. “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 for happiness.’ Rather, it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit. “Just as, monks, where these great rivers flow together, meet, namely— the Gaṅgā, the Yamunā, the Aciravatī, the Sarabhū, the Mahī, there 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 incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of water. Even so, monks, 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 for happiness.’ Rather, it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit.” This the Blessed One said. The Teacher said: The great ocean, immeasurable, a vast expanse, Very dreadful, an abode of many jewels; Just as rivers, frequented by throngs of people, Flowing widely, approach the ocean. So too, a person who gives food, drink, and clothing, A giver of beds and coverings; Streams of merit approach the wise one, Just as rivers carrying water to the ocean. (End of the second sutta) 3. The Third Discourse on Inflows 1039. Monks, there are these four inflows of merit, inflows of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. Which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – thus: "That Blessed One is... the Teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One." This is the first inflow of merit, inflow of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple in the Dhamma... in the Sangha.... Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is wise, endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, noble, penetrative, leading to the right destruction of suffering. This is the fourth inflow of merit, inflow of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. These, monks, are the four inflows of merit, inflows of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness. For a noble disciple endowed with these four inflows of merit, inflows of skillfulness, it is not easy to calculate the measure of merit – 'So much is the inflow of merit, inflow of skillfulness, sustenance for happiness.' Rather, it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable great mass of merit. This the Blessed One said... the Teacher – Whoever desires merit, established in skillfulness, Develops the path for the attainment of the deathless; He, having attained the essence of the Dhamma, delighting in cessation, Does not tremble at the coming of the king of death. (End of the third sutta) 4. The First Discourse on Great Wealth 1040. Monks, a noble disciple endowed with four qualities is called 'rich, greatly wealthy, greatly prosperous.' With which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – Thus is the Blessed One… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One; in the Dhamma… in the Saṅgha… is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… conducive to concentration. Endowed with these four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is called 'rich, of great wealth, of great possessions'. The Fourth. 5. The Second Discourse on the Rich. Endowed with four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is called 'rich, of great wealth, of great possessions, of great renown'. With which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – Thus is the Blessed One… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One. In the Dhamma… in the Saṅgha… is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… conducive to concentration. Endowed with these four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is called 'rich, of great wealth, of great possessions, of great renown'. The Fifth. 6. The Discourse on the Pure. Endowed with four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to falling into lower states, certain of liberation, bound for enlightenment. With which four? Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha – Thus is the Blessed One… teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One. In the Dhamma… in the Saṅgha… is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… conducive to concentration. Endowed with these four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to falling into lower states, certain of liberation, bound for enlightenment. The Sixth. 7. The Discourse to Nandiya. Originating in Kapilavatthu. The Blessed One said this to Nandiya the Sakyan, who was sitting to one side – ‘Endowed with four qualities, Nandiya, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to falling into lower states, is of the stream, not subject to falling, certain, bound for enlightenment.” “With which four? Here, Nandiya, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha: ‘Indeed, that Blessed One is… …teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.’ In the Dhamma… …in the Saṅgha… …is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… …conducive to concentration. With these four qualities, Nandiya, a noble disciple is of the stream, not subject to falling, certain, bound for enlightenment.” The Seventh. 8. Bhaddiya Sutta 1044. At Kapilavatthu. The Blessed One said to Bhaddiya the Sakyan, who was sitting to one side: “With four qualities, Bhaddiya, a noble disciple is of the stream, not subject to falling, certain, bound for enlightenment. “With which four? Here, Bhaddiya, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha… …in the Dhamma… …in the Saṅgha… …is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… …conducive to concentration. With these four qualities, Bhaddiya, a noble disciple is of the stream, not subject to falling, certain, bound for enlightenment.” The Eighth. 9. Mahānāma Sutta 1045. At Kapilavatthu. The Blessed One said to Mahānāma the Sakyan, who was sitting to one side: “With four qualities, Mahānāma, a noble disciple is of the stream… …bound for enlightenment.” “With which four? Here, Mahānāma, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering faith in the Buddha… …in the Dhamma… …in the Saṅgha… …is endowed with the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… …conducive to concentration. With these four qualities, Mahānāma, a noble disciple is of the stream, not subject to falling, certain, bound for enlightenment.” The Ninth. 10. Aṅga Sutta 1046. “These are the four factors of stream-entry, monastics. Which four? Association with good people, hearing the true Dhamma, wise attention, practice in accordance with the Dhamma. These, monastics, are the four are the factors of stream-entry.” The tenth. The fifth chapter is the Sagāthaka Puññābhisanda Vagga (Chapter on Meritorious Overflow with Verses). Its summary: Three overflows are stated, And two with great wealth; Pure, Nanda, Bhaddiya, Mahānāma with these are ten. 6. Sappañña Vagga (Chapter on the Wise) 1. Sagāthaka Sutta (Discourse with Verses) 1047. “Endowed with four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to falling, fixed, bound for enlightenment. “With which four? Here, monks, 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.)… is endowed with virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken… (etc.)… conducive to concentration. Endowed with these four qualities, monks, a noble disciple is a stream-enterer, not subject to falling, fixed, bound for enlightenment.” This the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Sugata, the Teacher, further said this: “Whose faith in the Tathāgata Is unshaken, well-established; And whose virtue is good, Dear to the noble ones, praised. “Whose confidence is in the Saṅgha, And whose vision is straight; They call him not poor, His life is not in vain. “Therefore, faith and virtue, Confidence and vision of the Dhamma; The wise one should cultivate, Remembering the Buddha’s teaching.” The first. 2. Vassaṃvuttha Sutta (Discourse on One Who Has Spent the Rains) 1048. At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain monk, having spent the rains at Sāvatthī, had arrived at Kapilavatthu for some reason. The Sakyans of Kapilavatthu heard, “Indeed, a certain monk, having spent the rains at Sāvatthī, has arrived at Kapilavatthu.” Then the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu approached that monk; having approached and greeted that monk, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu asked that monk They said this: "Is the Blessed One, venerable sir, both free from illness and strong?" "The Blessed One, friends, is both free from illness and strong." "Are Sāriputta and Moggallāna, venerable sir,