The Buddha teaches the four factors of stream-entry—experiential confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and ethical conduct loved by the noble ones—showing how they protect a noble disciple from loss and lead to heaven, regarding with kāḷigodhā.

SN 55.39 With Kāḷigodhā

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme. Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena kāḷigodhāya sākiyāniyā nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho kāḷigodhā sākiyānī yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho kāḷigodhaṁ sākiyāniṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

“Catūhi kho, godhe, dhammehi samannāgatā ariyasāvikā sotāpannā hoti avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, godhe, ariyasāvikā buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatā hoti itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti. Dhamme …pe… saṅghe …pe… vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgā payatapāṇinī vossaggaratā yācayogā dānasaṁvibhāgaratā. Imehi kho, godhe, catūhi dhammehi samannāgatā ariyasāvikā sotāpannā hoti avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā”ti.

“Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā cattāri sotāpattiyaṅgāni desitāni, saṁvijjante dhammā mayi, ahañca tesu dhammesu sandissāmi. Ahañhi, bhante, buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatā itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti. Dhamme …pe… saṅghe …pe… yaṁ kho pana kiñci kule deyyadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ appaṭivibhattaṁ sīlavantehi kalyāṇadhammehī”ti.

“Lābhā te, godhe, suladdhaṁ te, godhe. Sotāpattiphalaṁ tayā, godhe, byākatan”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena kāḷigodhāya sākiyāniyā nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of Kāḷigodhā the Sakyan lady, where he sat on the seat spread out.

Atha kho kāḷigodhā sākiyānī yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho kāḷigodhaṁ sākiyāniṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

Then Kāḷigodhā went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to her:

“Catūhi kho, godhe, dhammehi samannāgatā ariyasāvikā sotāpannā hoti avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā.

“Godhā, a female noble disciple who has four things is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.

Katamehi catūhi?

What four?

Idha, godhe, ariyasāvikā buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatā hoti

It’s when a female noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha …

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

Dhamme …pe…

the teaching …

saṅghe …pe…

the Saṅgha …

vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgā payatapāṇinī vossaggaratā yācayogā dānasaṁvibhāgaratā.

And she lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

Imehi kho, godhe, catūhi dhammehi samannāgatā ariyasāvikā sotāpannā hoti avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā”ti.

A female noble disciple who has these four things is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”

“Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā cattāri sotāpattiyaṅgāni desitāni, saṁvijjante dhammā mayi, ahañca tesu dhammesu sandissāmi.

“Sir, these four factors of stream-entry that were taught by the Buddha are found in me, and I exhibit them.

Ahañhi, bhante, buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatā

For I have experiential confidence in the Buddha …

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

Dhamme …pe…

the teaching …

saṅghe …pe…

the Saṅgha …

yaṁ kho pana kiñci kule deyyadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ appaṭivibhattaṁ sīlavantehi kalyāṇadhammehī”ti.

And I share without reservation all the gifts available to give in our family with those who are ethical and of good character.”

“Lābhā te, godhe, suladdhaṁ te, godhe.

“You’re fortunate, Godhā, so very fortunate,

Sotāpattiphalaṁ tayā, godhe, byākatan”ti.

You have declared the fruit of stream-entry.”

Navamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Stinginess

Stinginess

A contracted, possessive refusal to share what one has—whether material goods, knowledge, or status. It clings tightly to what is “mine,” fearing loss and closing the hand against generosity.

Also known as: miserliness, meanness, tight-fistedness
Pāli: macchariya
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026