Persons Who Are Worthy of Gifts (Third Discourse)

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

What seven?

The one liberated in both respects, the one liberated by wisdom, the body witness, the one accomplished in view, the one liberated by confidence, The Teachings Practitioner, and the Confident Practitioner.

These seven persons are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respectful salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

(Reference: AN 7.14)

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

1.) The one liberated in both respects: This is a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha.

See Chapter 13 in the book “Walking The Path with The Buddha” (Volume 2) where The Buddha shares the difference between a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha and one liberated by wisdom.

2.) The one liberated by wisdom: This is an Arahant.

See Chapter 13 in the book “Walking The Path with The Buddha” (Volume 2) where The Buddha shares the difference between a Fully Perfectly Enlightened Buddha and one liberated by wisdom.

3.) The body witness: The individual being described as “the body witness” is not a Teaching that I fully understand, therefore, I am not going to provide a description of this individual.

4.) The one accomplished in view: See the book “The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer)” (Volume 5) where The Buddha shares how one is “accomplished in view”.

5.) The one liberated by confidence: See the book “The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer)” (Volume 5) where The Buddha shares how one develops confidence.

6.) The Teachings Practitioner: See Chapter 108 in the book “Foundations in The Teachings” (Volume 3) where The Buddha shares Teachings on what is a Teachings Practitioner.

7.) The Confident Practitioner: See Chapter 107 in the book “Foundations in The Teachings” (Volume 3) where The Buddha shares Teachings on what is a Confident Practitioner.