Ekottaragama (Sanskrit fragments) 3.3.8-9

3.3.8

對曰：「如是。世尊！」諸比丘前受教已。

They replied, “Yes, Bhagavān.”

Once the monks had accepted the teaching, the Bhagavān told them, “Suppose a monk sits cross-legged with correct posture and thought and fixes his attention on what’s in front of him. With no other idea, he focuses on recollecting the Saṅgha.

3.3.9

世尊告曰：「若有比丘正身正意，結跏趺坐，繫念在前，無有他想，專精念眾。如來聖眾，善業成就，質直順義，無有邪業，上下和穆，法法成就。如來聖眾，戒成就，三昧成就，智慧成就，解脫成就，度知見成就。聖眾者，所謂四雙八輩，是謂如來聖眾，應當恭敬，承事禮順。所以然者，是世福田故。於此眾中，皆同一器，亦以自度，復度他人至三乘道，如此之業名曰聖眾。是謂，諸比丘！若念僧者，便有名譽，成大果報，諸善普至，得甘露味，至無為處，便成神通，除諸亂想，逮沙門果，自致涅槃。是故，諸比丘！常當思惟，不離僧念，便當獲此諸善功德。如是，諸比丘！當作是學。」

“The Tathāgata’s noble assembly achieves good deeds. They are honest, follow doctrine, and don’t do any wrong deeds. Seniors and juniors are in harmony, and they accomplish the teachings. The Tathāgata’s noble assembly is accomplished in precepts, accomplished in samādhi, and accomplished in wisdom. They’re accomplished in liberation and accomplished in knowing and seeing liberation.

“‘Noble assembly’ means the four pairs and eight ranks of people. They are called the Tathāgata’s noble assembly who ought to be respected, served, and paid homage. For what reason? Because they are the world’s field of merit. Those among these assemblies are one and the same vessel, and they liberate other people by liberating themselves with the path of three vehicles. Those who do this work are called the ‘noble assembly.’

“This, monks, is how someone who cultivates the recollection of the Saṅgha will become well known, achieve a great reward and all good and complete attainments, attain the sweet-tasting dew, and arrive at the unconditioned state. They’ll achieve spiritual knowledge, dispel their confused ideas, win the fruits of the ascetic, and bring about nirvāṇa themselves.

“Therefore, monks, one should constantly recollect the Saṅgha and not part from it. Then, they’ll win these good virtues. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”