[38] Bhikkhus, there are these five benefits for a clansman (kulaputta) endowed with faith (saddhā). What five? Those in the world who are good, true persons (sappurisā), when showing compassion, show compassion first to the one with faith, not so to the one without faith; when approaching, they approach first the one with faith, not so the one without faith; when receiving [offerings], they receive first from the one with faith, not so from the one without faith; when teaching the Dhamma, they teach first to the one with faith, not so to the one without faith; and the one with faith, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world. These, bhikkhus, are the five benefits for a clansman endowed with faith.
Just as, bhikkhus, a great banyan tree standing on even ground at a crossroads is a refuge for the birds all around, even so, bhikkhus, a clansman endowed with faith is a refuge for many people — for bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, laymen (upāsakā), and laywomen (upāsikā).
As a great tree with a stout trunk, endowed with branches, leaves, and fruit,
with firm roots and abounding in fruit, is a support for the birds —
the birds resort to it, a delightful abode:
those seeking shade go to its shade; those seeking fruit feed upon its fruit —
just so do those free from lust, free from hatred,
free from delusion, taintless — fields of merit (puññakkhetta) in the world —
resort to such a man: a person endowed with virtue and faith,
humble in conduct, without rigidity, gentle, congenial in speech, and mild.
They teach him the Dhamma that dispels all suffering (dukkha),
and having understood that Dhamma here, he attains final Nibbāna, taintless.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.