This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Mendicants, there are these three grounds for making merit. “Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, puññakiriyavatthūni. What three? Katamāni tīṇi? Giving, ethical conduct, and meditation are all grounds for making merit. Dānamayaṁ puññakiriyavatthu, sīlamayaṁ puññakiriyavatthu, bhāvanāmayaṁ puññakiriyavatthu—These are the three grounds for making merit.” imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi puññakiriyavatthūnī”ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“One should practice only good deeds, “Puññameva so sikkheyya, whose happy outcome stretches ahead. āyataggaṁ sukhudrayaṁ; Giving and moral conduct, Dānañca samacariyañca, developing a mind of love: mettacittañca bhāvaye.

having developed these Ete dhamme bhāvayitvā, three things yielding happiness, tayo sukhasamuddaye; that astute one is reborn Abyābajjhaṁ sukhaṁ lokaṁ, in a happy, pleasing world.” paṇḍito upapajjatī”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Paṭhamaṁ.