7.
The First Discourse on Those Worthy of Gifts
57.
"Monks, a monk possessed of eight qualities is worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
Which eight?
Here, monks, a monk is virtuous, etc.
having accepted the training rules he trains in them;
he is very learned, etc.
thoroughly penetrated by view;
he has good friends, good companions, good associates;
he holds right view, endowed with right vision;
he is one who obtains at will, obtains without difficulty, obtains without trouble, the four meditative absorptions pertaining to the higher mind, which are pleasant abidings in the present life;
he recollects manifold past lives, as follows -
one birth, two births, etc.
thus with aspects and terms he recollects manifold past lives;
with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, etc.
he understands beings according to their actions;
With the elimination of the mental corruptions, etc.
having realised, having attained, dwells.
Monks, a monk possessed of these eight qualities is worthy of offerings, etc.
an unsurpassed field of merit for the world."
The seventh.