1.
The First Discourse on Streams of Merit
1027.
At Sāvatthī.
"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 is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Teaching: 'Well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Teaching, etc. to be individually experienced by the wise.' This is the second stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness.
"Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Community: 'The Community of the Blessed One's disciples is practising well, etc. an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.' This is the third stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness.
"Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with morality pleasing to the noble ones, unbroken, etc. conducive to concentration. 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." The first.