The Eight Streams of Merit

Monks, there are these eight streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, nutriments of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening in peacefulness, conducive that lead to what is aspired for, needed, and to heaven - agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

What eight?

(1) Here, a Noble Disciple has gone for refuge to The Buddha. This is the first stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening in peacefulness, conducive to heaven — that leads to what is aspired for, needed, and agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

(2) Again, a Noble Disciple has gone for refuge to The Teachings. This is the second stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening in peacefulness, conducive to heaven — that leads to what is aspired for, needed, and agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

(3) Again, a Noble Disciple has gone for refuge to The Community. This is the third stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening in peacefulness, conducive to heaven — that leads to what is aspired for, needed, and agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

There are, Monks, these five gifts, great gifts, highest, of long standing, traditional, ancient, untainted and never before tainted, which are not being tainted and will not be tainted, not refused by wise Ascetics and Brāhmins.

What five?

(4) Here, a Noble Disciple, having abandoned the destruction of life, abstains from the destruction of life. By abstaining from the destruction of life, the Noble Disciple gives to an immeasurable number of beings freedom from fear, hostility, and harm. He himself in turn enjoys immeasurable freedom from fear, hostility, and harm. This is the first gift, a great gift, highest, of long standing, traditional, ancient, untainted and never before tainted, which is not being tainted and will not be tainted, not refused by wise Ascetics and Brāhmins. This is the fourth stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening peacefulness, conducive to heaven – that leads to what is aspired for, needed, and agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

(5) - (8) Again, a Noble Disciple, having abandoned the taking of what is not given, abstains from taking what is not given… abstains from sexual misconduct ... abstains from false speech … abstains from liquor, wine, and intoxicants (substances that cause heedlessness), the basis for heedlessness. By abstaining from liquor, wine, and intoxicants (substances that cause heedlessness), the basis for heedlessness, the Noble Disciple gives to an immeasurable number of beings freedom from fear, hostility, and harm. He himself in turn enjoys immeasurable freedom from fear, hostility, and harm. This is the fifth gift, a great gift, highest, of long standing, traditional, ancient, untainted and never before tainted, which is not being tainted and will not be tainted, not refused by wise Ascetics and Brāhmins. This is the eighth stream of merit, stream of the wholesome, nutriment of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening peacefulness, conducive to heaven – that leads to what is aspired for, needed, and agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

These, Monks, are the eight streams of merit, streams of the wholesome, nutriments of peacefulness - heavenly, ripening in peacefulness, conducive to heaven - that lead to what is aspired for, needed, and agreeable, to one’s welfare and peacefulness.

(Reference: AN 8.39)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares eight ways to create merit (i.e. wholesome Kamma).

The Buddha shares that having confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community as well as practicing The Five Precepts will produce wholesome Kamma resulting in peacefulness and conducive of a heavenly rebirth.

Detailed explanation of confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community is available in this same book series found in the book “The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer)” (Volume 5).

Detailed explanation of The Five Precepts is available in this same book series found in Chapter 7 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).