1"Bhikkhus, these three persons are helpful to another person. What three.

(1) "The person through whom another has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha. This person is helpful to the other person.

2(2) "Again, the person through whom another comes to understand as it really is: ‘This is suffering,’ and ‘This is the origin of suffering,’ and ‘This is the cessation of suffering,’ and ‘This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.’ This person is helpful to the other person. [n.362] By understanding the four noble truths, the attainment of stream-entry is indicated. The destruction of the taints, just below, marks the attainment of arahantship.

3(3) "Again, the person through whom, with the destruction of the taints, another realizes for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, and having entered upon it, dwells in it. This person is helpful to the other person.

"These three persons are helpful to another person.

4"I say, bhikkhus, that there is no one more helpful to another person than these three persons. I say, too, that it is not easy to repay these three persons by paying homage to them, by rising up for them, by reverential salutation, by proper conduct, and by presenting them with robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicines and provisions for the sick."

1"Tayome, bhikkhave, puggalā puggalassa bahukārā. Katame tayo.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, puggalaṁ āgamma puggalo buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti; ayaṁ, bhikkhave, puggalo imassa puggalassa bahukāro.

2Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yaṁ puggalaṁ āgamma puggalo ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘Ayaṁ dukkhasamudayo’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘Ayaṁ dukkhanirodho’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘Ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti; ayaṁ, bhikkhave, puggalo imassa puggalassa bahukāro.

3Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, yaṁ puggalaṁ āgamma puggalo āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati; ayaṁ, bhikkhave, puggalo imassa puggalassa bahukāro.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo puggalā puggalassa bahukārā.

4Imehi ca pana, bhikkhave, tīhi puggalehi imassa puggalassa natthañño puggalo bahukāroti vadāmi. Imesaṁ pana, bhikkhave, tiṇṇaṁ puggalānaṁ iminā puggalena na suppatikāraṁ vadāmi, yadidaṁ abhivādanapaccuṭṭhānaañjalikammasāmīcikammacīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānuppadānenā"ti.

Catutthaṁ.