The formula to progress in path of enlightenment

The formula to progress in path of enlightenment

There are four factors. The first two are external factors (you gain from outside). The last two are internal (has to come within you)

1. A Noble Friend (Kalyana Mitta)
2. Listening to Dhamma (Sadhamma Savana)
3. Wise Attention/Mindful reflection (Yoniso manasikara)
4. Practicing Dhamma -Mindfulness, Concentration (Dhammanu Dhamma Patipada)

The noble friend is one you lean true Dhamma (For example, The Four Noble Truths, Five aggregates... and so on). Once Buddha once said to Ven. Ananada "the progress path entirely depends on a true noble friend".

Sutta Reference:

Samyutta Nikaya, Sotapatti Samyuttaya, Sappanna Vaggo

The Fruit of Stream-Entry(Pala Sutta)
“Bhikkus, these four things, when developed and cultivated, lead to the realization of the fruit of stream-entry. What four? Association with superior persons, hearing the true Dhamma, careful attention, practice in accordance with the Dhamma. These four things, when developed and cultivated, lead to the realization of the fruit of stream-entry.”

The Fruit of Once-Returning(Dutiya Sutta)
“Bhikkus, these four things, when developed and cultivated, lead to the realization of the fruit of once-returing. What four? ...(same as above)

The Fruit of Non-returning(Thatiya Sutta)
“Bhikkus, these four things, when developed and cultivated, lead to the realization of the fruit of non-returning. What four? ... (same as above)

The Fruit of Arahantship(Chatutta Sutta)
“Bhikkus, these four things, when developed and cultivated, lead to the realization of the fruit of arahantship. What four? ... (same as above)

(Kindly provided by Mr. Vijitha Jayasinghe)