5.
The Second Discourse on the State of the Gods
1031.
"There are, monks, these four footsteps of the gods for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of beings who are not pure.
"What are the 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.' He considers thus: 'What indeed is the footstep of the gods?' He thus understands: 'I hear that at present the gods have non-harming as supreme. And I harm no one, whether frail or firm. Surely I dwell endowed with the quality of the footstep of the gods.' This is the first footstep of the gods for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of beings who are not pure.
"Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple towards the Teaching, etc. towards the Community, etc.
"Furthermore, monks, a noble disciple is endowed with morality pleasing to the noble ones, unbroken, etc. conducive to concentration. He considers thus: 'What indeed is the footstep of the gods?' He thus understands: 'I hear that at present the gods have non-harming as supreme. And I harm no one, whether frail or firm. Surely I dwell endowed with the quality of the footstep of the gods.' This is the fourth footstep of the gods for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of beings who are not pure. These, monks, are the four footsteps of the gods for the purification of impure beings, for the cleansing of beings who are not pure." The fifth.