[463] Bhikkhus, these three persons are of great help (bahukāra) to a person. What three? The person owing to whom a person has gone to the Buddha for refuge, has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Saṅgha for refuge — this person, bhikkhus, is of great help to that person.
Further, bhikkhus, the person owing to whom a person understands as it really is: "This is suffering (dukkha)"; understands as it really is: "This is the origin of suffering"; understands as it really is: "This is the cessation of suffering"; understands as it really is: "This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering" — this person, bhikkhus, is of great help to that person.
Further, bhikkhus, the person owing to whom a person — through the destruction of the taints (āsava) — realizes for himself with direct knowledge (abhiññā), in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind (cetovimutti) and liberation by wisdom (paññāvimutti), and having entered upon it dwells therein — this person, bhikkhus, is of great help to that person.
These, bhikkhus, are the three persons who are of great help to a person. And I say, bhikkhus, that there is no other person of greater help to this person than these three persons. And I say, bhikkhus, that these three persons are not easily repaid by this person — that is, by paying homage, by rising up in respect, by salutation with joined palms, by acts of proper deference (sāmīcikamma), and by the offering of robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.