4.
The First Discourse on Sāriputta
1000.
On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Ānanda were dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then the Venerable Ānanda, in the afternoon, having emerged from seclusion... etc.
Seated to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this to the Venerable Sāriputta -
"Because of being endowed with how many qualities, friend Sāriputta, has this generation been declared by the Blessed One to be stream-enterers, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment?"
"Because of being endowed with four qualities, friend, has this generation been declared by the Blessed One to be stream-enterers, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment.
"Which four? Here, friends, a noble disciple is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Buddha: 'Thus indeed is the Blessed One, etc. Teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' Towards the Teaching... etc. towards the Community, etc. He is endowed with morality pleasing to the noble ones, unbroken... etc. conducive to concentration. Because of being endowed with these four qualities, friend, has this generation been declared by the Blessed One to be stream-enterers, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment." The fourth.