An Unsurpassed Field of Merit for the World

Monks, these eight persons are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

What eight?

The Stream-Enterer, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Stream Entry;

the Once-Returner, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Once- Returning;

the Non-Returner, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Non- Returning;

the Arahant, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Arahantship.

These eight persons, Monks, are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

The four practicing the way and the four established in the fruit; this is the upright Community - composed in wisdom and virtuous behavior (moral conduct).

For people intent on sacrifice, for living beings seeking merit, making merit that ripens in the acquisitions, what is given to The Community bears great fruit.

(Reference: AN 8.59)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares details of the “eight persons [who] are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world”.

1.) One practicing to attain the first Stage of Enlightenment as a Stream Enterer. 2.) One who has attained the first Stage of Enlightenment as a Stream Enterer. 3.) One practicing to attain the second Stage of Enlightenment as a Once Returner. 4.) One who has attained the second Stage of Enlightenment as a Once Returner. 5.) One practicing to attain the third Stage of Enlightenment as a Non-Returner. 6.) One who has attained the third Stage of Enlightenment as a Non-Returner. 7.) One practicing to attain the fourth Stage of Enlightenment as an Arahant. 8.) One who has attained the fourth Stage of Enlightenment as an Arahant.

The Buddha then refers to the “upright Community” who are his Students learning and practicing these Teachings towards the attainment of Enlightenment. The “upright Community” refers to those who are practicing with “wisdom and virtuous behavior” or wholesome moral conduct.

He explains that any gifts or offerings given to this Community provides the opportunity for people to create merit which ultimately helps them to eliminate their craving/desire/ attachment and also leads to “acquisitions” or the ability to acquire beneficial outcomes due to the offering made through practicing generosity. Generosity leads to the “acquisition” of all the attainments that lead to Enlightenment, to include, the Jhānas and all four Stages of Enlightenment.

“What is given to The Community bears great fruit” or produces great benefit because through supporting The Community of Practitioners who are practicing for the attainment of any of the four Stages of Enlightenment or who have attained any of the four Stages of Enlightenment, the offering helps to continue to develop this wisdom within one’s own community.

If a population of people did not provide support for these “eight persons worthy of gifts”, then the wisdom of these Teachings would not be supported within a local community and that population would struggle through not understanding these good wholesome Teachings. But, through supporting these Teachings to enter and flourish within a Community by making offerings to the “eight persons worthy of gifts”, then the wisdom of these Teachings permeate throughout a local community and the population would prosper through understanding these good wholesome Teachings.

Detailed explanation of Merit is available in this same book series found in Chapter 10 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).