Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
55. Sot'Āpatti Saṃyutta
5. Sagātha-Puññā-Bhisanda Vagga

The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
55. Kindred Sayings on Streamwinning
5. Flood of Merit with Verses

Sutta 49

Mahānāma Suttaṃ

Mahānāma

Translated by F. L. Woodward

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[345]

[1] Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Kapilavatthu, in Banyan Park.

Then Mahānāma the Sakyan went to see the Exalted One,
on coming to him greeted him courteously,
and after the exchange of greetings and compliments
sat down at one side.

Seated at one side the Exalted One said this to Bhaddiya the Sakyan:

"Mahānāma the Ariyan disciple who is Blessed with four things
is a Stream-winner,
one not doomed to the Downfall,
assured,
bound for enlightenment.

What four things?

Herein, Mahānāma, the Ariyan disciple is blessed with unwavering loyalty to the Buddha,
thus:

'He it is the Exalted One,
Arahant,
a fully Enlightened One,
perfect in knowledge and practice,
a Happy One,
world-knower,
unsurpassed charioteer
of men to be tamed,
teacher of devas and mankind,
a Buddha,
an Exalted One.'

■

He is blessed
with unwavering loyalty to the Norm,
thus:

'Well proclaimed by the Exalted One
is the Norm,
seen in this very life,
a thing not involving time,
inviting one to come and see,
leading onward,
to be known for themselves
by the wise.'

■

He is blessed
with unwavering loyalty to the Order,
thus:

'Walking righteously is the Exalted One's Order,
walking uprightly,
walking in the right way,
walking dutifully
is the Exalted One's Order of Disciples:
namely,
the four pairs of men,
the eight sorts of men.

That is the Exalted One's Order of Disciples.

Worthy of honour are they,
worthy of reverence,
worthy of offerings,
worthy of salutations with clasped hands, -
a field of merit unsurpassed for the world.'

■

He is blessed
with the virtues dear to the Ariyans,
virtues unbroken,
whole,
unspotted,
untarnished,
giving freedom,
praised by the wise:
virtues untainted (by craving or delusion),
which lead to concentration of the mind.

These are the four things
blessed with which
the Ariyan disciple is a Stream-winner,
one not doomed to the Downfall,
assured,
bound for enlightenment."