41 (1) Streams (1)

(The opening is identical with §31, continuing thus:)

“When, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses these four streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, it is not easy to take the measure of his merit thus: ‘Just so much is his stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness’; rather, it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit. “Bhikkhus, just as it is not easy to take the measure of the water in the great ocean thus: ‘There are so many gallons of water,’ or ‘There are so many hundreds of gallons of water,’ or ‘There are so many thousands of gallons of water,’ or ‘There are so many hundreds of thousands of gallons of water,’ but rather it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of water; so too, when a noble disciple possesses these four streams of merit … it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit.”

This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this:

“Just as the many rivers used by the hosts of people,
Flowing downstream, finally reach the ocean,
The great mass of water, the boundless sea,
The fearsome receptacle of heaps of gems;

“So the streams of merit reach the wise man—
Giver of food, drink, and clothes,
Provider of beds, seats, and coverlets—
As the rivers carry their waters to the sea.”

42 (2) Streams (2)

“Bhikkhus, there are these four streams of merit.… What four? “Here, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Buddha … in the Dhamma … in the Saṅgha.… “Again, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple dwells at home with a mind devoid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, one devoted to charity, delighting in giving and sharing.

“These are the four streams of merit.…

“When, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses these four streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, it is not easy to take the measure of his merit thus: ‘Just so much is his stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness’; rather, it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit. “Bhikkhus, just as in the place where these great rivers meet and converge—namely, the Ganges, the Yamunā, the AciravatI, the SarabhŪ, and the MahI—it is not easy to take the measure of the water there thus: ‘There are so many gallons of water’ … but rather it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of water; so too, when a noble disciple possesses these four streams of merit … it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit.”

This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this:

“Just as the many rivers used by the hosts of people,
… (verses as in §41) …
As the rivers carry their waters to the sea.”

43 (3) Streams (3)

“Bhikkhus, there are these four streams of merit.… What four? “Here, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Buddha … in the Dhamma … in the Saṅgha.… “Again, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple is wise, he possesses wisdom directed to arising and passing away, which is noble and penetrative, leading to the complete destruction of suffering. This is the fourth stream of merit.… “These are the four streams of merit.…

“When, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses these four streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, it is not easy to take the measure of his merit thus: ‘Just so much is his stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of happiness’; rather, it is reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit.” This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the

Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this:

“One who desires merit, established in the wholesome,
Develops the path to attain the Deathless;
He who has reached the Dhamma’s core,
Delighting in destruction,
Does not tremble thinking,
‘The King of Death will come.’”

44 (4) Rich (1)

“Bhikkhus, a noble disciple who possesses four things is said to be rich, with much wealth and property. What four?

“Here, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Buddha … in the Dhamma … in the Saṅgha.… He possesses the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken … leading to concentration.

“A noble disciple who possesses these four things is said to be rich, with much wealth and property.”

45 (5) Rich (2)

“Bhikkhus, a noble disciple who possesses four things is said to be rich, with much wealth and property, of great fame. What four?”

(The rest as in §44.)

46 (6) Simple Version

“Bhikkhus, a noble disciple who possesses four things is a stream-enterer, no longer bound to the nether world, fixed in destiny, with enlightenment as his destination. What four?

“Here, Bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Buddha thus: ‘The Blessed One is … teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.’ He possesses confirmed confidence in the Dhamma … in the Saṅgha.… He possesses the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken … leading to concentration.

“A noble disciple, Bhikkhus, who possesses these four things is a stream-enterer … with enlightenment as his destination.”

47 (7) Nandiya

At Kapilavatthu. The Blessed One then said to Nandiya the Sakyan as he was sitting to one side:

(The rest as in §46.)

48 (8) Bhaddiya

(The same, addressed to Bhaddiya the Sakyan.)

49 (9) Mahānāma

(The same, addressed to Mahānāma the Sakyan.)

50 (10) Factors

“Bhikkhus, there are these four factors for stream-entry. What four? Association with superior persons, hearing the true Dhamma, careful attention, practice in accordance with the Dhamma. These are the four factors for stream-entry.”