^ introducing the worthy ^

the anguttara nikaya states:
" monks
these eight persons are worthy of gifts
worthy of hospitality
worthy of offerings
worthy of reverential salutations
the unsurpassed field of merit for the world

what eight?

the streamenterer
the one practicing for the realisation of the fruit of streamentry
the oncereturner
the one practicing for the realisation of the fruit of oncereturning
the nonreturner
the one practicing for the realisation of the fruit of nonreturning
the arahant
the one practicing for the realisation of the fruit of arahantship "