The Buddha shares the three kinds of best confidence - 1) in the Buddha, 2) in the mental quality of fading of desire, and 3) in the community of the Blessed One's disciples.
Aggappasāda sutta - Best Confidence
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, and Thus have I heard:
"Bhikkhus, there are three kinds of best confidence. What three? However many sentient beings there are - whether they are without feet, with two feet, with four feet, or with many feet; with form or formless; having perception, non-percipient, or neither percipient nor non-percipient — the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One is regarded the foremost among them. Those bhikkhus, who place their confidence in the Buddha, place their confidence in the best. And for those who place their confidence in the best, the result is the best.
Bhikkhus, however many mental qualities there are - whether conditioned or unconditioned - the fading of desire is regarded as the foremost among them. That is, the crushing of conceit, the dispelling of thirst, the uprooting of clinging, the breaking off the cycle of existence, the wearing away of craving, the fading of desire, gradual ending, Nibbāna. Those, bhikkhus, who place their confidence in the teaching of fading of desire, place their confidence in the best. And for those who place their confidence in the best, the result is the best.
Bhikkhus, however many communities or gatherings there are, the community of the Tathāgata's disciples is regarded as the foremost among them. That is, the four pairs of persons, the eight kinds of individuals [1] — this is the Blessed One's community of disciples, worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, worthy of reverential salutation, and the unsurpassed field of merit for the world. Those, bhikkhus, who place their confidence in the community of the Blessed One's disciples, place their confidence in the best. And for those who place their confidence in the best, the result is the best."
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
"Those who have placed their confidence in the foremost, and who understand the unsurpassed Dhamma; place their confidence in the best — the Buddha, the unsurpassed one, worthy of offerings.
Those who place their confidence in the foremost mental quality, the fading of desire, peace, and contentment; Those who place their confidence in the foremost community, the unsurpassed field of merit.
For those who give gifts to the best, their merit grows to be the best; Their lifespan, beauty, fame, reputation, contentment, and strength grow to be the best.
The wise giver to the foremost, one established in the highest mental quality; Whether reborn as a god or as a human, delights having attained the best."
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
[1] The four pairs of persons and the eight kinds of individuals that constitute the community of the Blessed One's disciples are as follows:
| Four Pairs - Stages | Eight kinds - Path | Eight kinds - Fruition | Fetters Overcome / Weakened |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Stage | Path of Stream-entry | Fruition of Stream-entry | Overcomes: 1) Personal existence, aka identity view (sakkāya-diṭṭhi) 2) Doubt, aka uncertainty, indecisiveness (vicikicchā) 3) Adherence to rules and observances (sīlabbataparāmāsa) |
| 2nd Stage | Path of Once-return | Fruition of Once-return | Weakens: 4) Sensual desire (kāmacchanda) 5) Ill-will (byāpāda) |
| 3rd Stage | Path of Non-return | Fruition of Non-return | Overcomes: 4) Sensual desire (kāmacchanda) 5) Ill-will (byāpāda) |
| 4th Stage | Path of Arahant | Fruition of Arahant | Overcomes: 6) Desire for fine-material existence (rūparāga) 7) Desire for formless existence, aka desire for immaterial existence (arūparāga) 8) Conceit, aka pride, egotism (māna) 9) Restlessness, aka agitation, distraction (uddhacca) 10) Ignorance, not knowing the true nature of how things have come to be, not understanding the nature of reality (avijjā) |