3.
The Third Discourse on Outflow
1039.
"Monks, there are these four streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, nutriments of happiness.
Which four?
Here, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Buddha:
'Thus indeed is the Blessed One, etc.
Teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.'
This is the first stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness.
"Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple towards the Teaching, etc. towards the Community, etc.
"Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is wise, endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, noble, penetrative, leading rightly to the complete elimination of suffering. This is the fourth stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness. These, monks, are the four streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, nutriments of happiness.
"For a noble disciple endowed with these four streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, it is not easy to reckon the measure of merit: 'This much is the stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness.' Rather, it is reckoned simply as an incalculable, immeasurable great mass of merit." This the Blessed One said, etc. the Teacher -
Develops the path for the attainment of the Deathless;
He who has achieved the substance of the Teaching, delighted in elimination,
Does not tremble at the coming of the King of Death." The third.