Numbered Discourses 9
1. Awakening
10. Worthy of Offerings Dedicated to the Gods
“Mendicants, there are nine people worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a teacher’s offering, and worthy of greeting with joined palms. They are a supreme field of merit for the world. What nine? The perfected one, and the one practicing for perfection. The non-returner and the one practicing to realize the fruit of non-return. The once-returner and the one practicing to realize the fruit of once-return. The stream-enterer and the one practicing to realize the fruit of stream-entry. And a member of the spiritual family. These nine people are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a teacher’s offering, and worthy of greeting with joined palms. They are a supreme field of merit for the world.”