The Buddha teaches the four factors of stream-entry—experiential confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and ethical conduct loved by the noble ones—showing how they protect a noble disciple from loss and lead to heaven, regarding footprints of the gods (2nd).

SN 55.35 Footprints of the Gods (2nd)

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

Katamāni cattāri? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti. So iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘kiṁ nu kho devānaṁ devapadan’ti? So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘abyābajjhaparame khvāhaṁ etarahi deve suṇāmi. Na ca kho panāhaṁ kiñci byābādhemi tasaṁ thāvaraṁ vā. Addhāhaṁ devapadadhammasamannāgato viharāmī’ti. Idaṁ paṭhamaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhamme …pe… saṅghe …pe….

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti akhaṇḍehi …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikehi. So iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘kiṁ nu kho devānaṁ devapadan’ti? So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘abyābajjhaparame khvāhaṁ etarahi deve suṇāmi. Na kho panāhaṁ kiñci byābādhemi tasaṁ thāvaraṁ vā. Addhāhaṁ devapadadhammasamannāgato viharāmī’ti. Idaṁ catutthaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāyā”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

“Mendicants, these four footprints of the gods are in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.

Katamāni cattāri?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti

Firstly, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha:

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

Then they reflect:

‘kiṁ nu kho devānaṁ devapadan’ti?

‘What now is the footprint of the gods?’

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘abyābajjhaparame khvāhaṁ etarahi deve suṇāmi.

‘I hear that these days the gods consider non-harming to be supreme.

Na ca kho panāhaṁ kiñci byābādhemi tasaṁ thāvaraṁ vā.

But I don’t hurt any creature firm or frail.

Addhāhaṁ devapadadhammasamannāgato viharāmī’ti.

I definitely live in possession of a footprint of the gods.’

Idaṁ paṭhamaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

This is the first footprint of the gods in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhamme …pe…

Furthermore, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the teaching …

saṅghe …pe….

the Saṅgha …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti akhaṇḍehi …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple’s ethical conduct is loved by the noble ones, unbroken, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion.

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

Then they reflect:

‘kiṁ nu kho devānaṁ devapadan’ti?

‘What now is the footprint of the gods?’

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘abyābajjhaparame khvāhaṁ etarahi deve suṇāmi.

‘I hear that these days the gods consider non-harming to be supreme.

Na kho panāhaṁ kiñci byābādhemi tasaṁ thāvaraṁ vā.

But I don’t hurt any creature firm or frail.

Addhāhaṁ devapadadhammasamannāgato viharāmī’ti.

I definitely live in possession of a footprint of the gods.’

Idaṁ catutthaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

This is the fourth footprint of the gods in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāyā”ti.

These four footprints of the gods are in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
View all discourses →
Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Last updated on July 27, 2026