Sotāpattisaṁyutta - Connected Discourses on Stream-Entry

The Buddha explains that even a Wheel-Turning Monarch, if not endowed with four qualities, is not freed from hell, the animal realm, the ghost realm, and the lower realms. On the other hand, a noble disciple, endowed with four qualities, is freed from these states.

A disciple of the Noble Ones who is endowed with four qualities becomes a stream-enterer, not liable to states of suffering, and destined for Nibbāna.

A dying lay disciple, Dīghāvu, invites the Buddha to his sickbed. Already established in the four factors of stream entry and in deep insight into impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and dispassion, he receives a final exhortation to keep his mind on the Dhamma. After his passing, the Buddha declares Dīghāvu a non-returner who will attain final Nibbāna.

The venerable Ānanda asks the venerable Sāriputta about the qualities that make a person a stream-enterer, no longer subject to downfall, fixed in destiny, and headed for full awakening.

The Buddha asks Sāriputta about the four factors of stream-entry, what the stream is, and who is a stream-enterer.

Purifying bodily and verbal conduct by using oneself as a baseline, and achieving perfect clarity in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha, a practitioner secures stream-entry.

A stream-enterer has surmounted all fear of bad destinations.

A stream-enterer has surmounted all fear of bad destinations and states of suffering.

When Mahānāma worries about dying amid Kapilavatthu's chaotic streets with a distracted mind, the Buddha reassures him using the simile of a leaning tree.

The Sakyans complain that the Buddha declared Saraṇāni a stream-enterer despite his failure in the training. The Buddha explains that taking refuge guarantees safety from lower realms. Outlining six types of individuals freed from suffering, he uses a simile of seeds planted in good and bad fields to show that practicing a well proclaimed Dhamma guarantees the fruit of liberation.

The Sakyans complain that the Buddha declared Saraṇāni a stream-enterer even though he drank intoxicating liquor and failed the training. The Buddha explains that one who takes refuge for a long time cannot fall into states of suffering. He details six types of practitioners freed from lower realms, including those with mere faith and affection.

The Buddha details how a stream-enterer declares liberation from lower realms: by abandoning five perilous animosities, fulfilling the four factors of stream-entry, and thoroughly penetrating the principle of dependent co-arising.

A stream-enterer who is destined for full awakening partakes in long life, beauty, happiness, fame, and authority, both divine and human.

The Buddha describes the four streams of merit, outflows of good, and supports for ease. The fourth quality is virtue.

The Buddha describes the four streams of merit, outflows of good, and supports for ease. The fourth quality is generosity.

The Buddha describes the four streams of merit, outflows of good, and supports for ease. The fourth quality is wisdom.

A disciple of the Noble Ones endowed with four qualities is called ‘wealthy, of great wealth, of great possessions.’

A disciple of the Noble Ones endowed with four qualities is called ‘wealthy, of great wealth, of great possessions, of great fame.’