The Buddha describes the nine individuals—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, and the stream-enterer and the one practicing to realize the fruit of stream-entry, and and a lamb of the flock.

AN 9.10 Worthy of Offerings Dedicated to the Gods

“Navayime, bhikkhave, puggalā āhuneyyā pāhuneyyā dakkhiṇeyyā añjalikaraṇīyā anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa. Katame nava? Arahā, arahattāya paṭipanno, anāgāmī, anāgāmiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno, sakadāgāmī, sakadāgāmiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno, sotāpanno, sotāpattiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno, gotrabhū ime kho, bhikkhave, nava puggalā āhuneyyā …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Sambodhivaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Sambodhi nissayo ceva,
Meghiya nandakaṁ balaṁ;
Sevanā sutavā sajjho,
Puggalo āhuneyyena cāti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Navayime, bhikkhave, puggalā āhuneyyā pāhuneyyā dakkhiṇeyyā añjalikaraṇīyā anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

“Mendicants, these nine individuals are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.

Katame nava?

What nine?

Arahā, arahattāya paṭipanno, anāgāmī, anāgāmiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno, sakadāgāmī, sakadāgāmiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno, sotāpanno, sotāpattiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno, gotrabhū

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 lamb of the flock.

ime kho, bhikkhave, nava puggalā āhuneyyā …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

These are the nine individuals who are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.”

Dasamaṁ.

Sambodhivaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Sambodhi nissayo ceva,

Meghiya nandakaṁ balaṁ;

Sevanā sutavā sajjho,

Puggalo āhuneyyena cāti.

Qualities:

Merit

Merit

Wholesome result of good conduct, generosity, and right intention. Merit brightens the mind and supports happiness and favorable conditions for practice.

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026