Reference request: three types of actions

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Accepted answer

The 3 qualities:

  • dānassa giving
  • damassa self-control (or desires can't control you)
  • saññamassā'ti restraint (have control over your faculties)

§ 22. {Iti 1.22; Iti 14}

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "Monks, don't be afraid of acts of merit. This is another way of saying what is blissful, desirable, pleasing, endearing, charming — i.e., acts of merit. I am cognizant that, having long performed meritorious deeds, I long experienced desirable, pleasing, endearing, charming results. Having developed a mind of good will for seven years, then for seven aeons of contraction & expansion I didn't return to this world. Whenever the aeon was contracting, I went to the realm of Streaming Radiance. Whenever the aeon was expanding, I reappeared in an empty Brahma-abode. There I was the Great Brahman, the Unconquered Conqueror, All-seeing, & Wielder of Power. Then for thirty-six times I was Sakka, ruler of the gods. For many hundreds of times I was a king, a wheel-turning emperor, a righteous king of Dhamma, conqueror of the four corners of the earth, maintaining stable control over the countryside, endowed with the seven treasures[1] — to say nothing of the times I was a local king. The thought occurred to me: 'Of what action of mine is this the fruit, of what action the result, that I now have such great power & might?' Then the thought occurred to me: 'This is the fruit of my three [types of] action, the result of three types of action, that I now have such great power & might: i.e., giving, self-control, & restraint.'"

Train in acts of merit
that bring long-lasting bliss —
develop giving,
a life in tune,
a mind of good-will.
Developing these
three things
that bring about bliss,
the wise reappear
in a world of bliss
unalloyed.

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In Sutta Nipāta - Māgha Sutta - 3.5. To Māgha on Giving

...
Māgha
Who can be cleansed, released and Awakened? With what does the self to the Brahma-world go? O Sage, when asked reply to me—one who doesn’t know— for the Radiant I’ve seen with my eyes as Brahmā today and it’s true that you’re the same as Brahmā for us. In the Brahma-world, how does one arise, O Refulgent One?

Buddha
The sacrificiant who achieves triple success in sacrifice, achieves their results through such gift-worthy ones; so perfected in sacrifice and complying with others’ requests, that one arises, I say, within the Brahma-world.
...

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