that’s great, thanks. I think my point is still valid, but comparing DN33 and DN34 to the AN would be useful to settle that.
In any case the second item, the Four Factors of a Stream-Enterer is discussing the Fruit of Stream Entry not the Path and one might see the link here with the Fetters, for me:
experiential/unshaking confidence/faith in the Triple Gem, is the opposite of doubt (the second Fetter) and
unbroken noble ethics, is the opposite of Identity View (the first Fetter, which deals with thought/‘the mind’) and Holding to Rites and Rituals (the third Fetter, which deals with word and deed).
I think it’s a very good and important goal. For me, that is the same as saying ‘my first goal is developing Right View’ and I’ve found there are two parts of that to do, in the application of the first three items (factors) of the Path to Stream Entry:
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identifying re-definitions (that is, noble definitions) of essential/key terms the Buddha gave, such a kamma, dukkha, cause, nibbāna … trying to understand ‘gods of creation’ is a finer point that I believe comes naturally, after the path is clarified and walked. I have compiled the key term re-definitions I have found, elsewhere. Doing this clarified the first three Noble Truths for me.
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applying the study method he gave, to clarify the Path, the Fourth Noble Truth.
Yes, ‘Saṅgha’ is another key EBT term to understand and I have written my investigation on that elsewhere. In brief: it most likely meant, ‘community’ of noble ones, not the company (parisā) of monks. The community of noble ones can be found in the four companies: laymen, laywomen, monks and nuns. I believe, part of wrong view is mixing up a (spiritual) community, that goes beyond temporal and spacial boundaries, with a ‘company’ that does not. It’s similar to the conversion of Dhamma-vision (dhamma-cakkhu, an internal/experiential event) to Dhamma-wheel (dhamma-cakka, an external symbol). The latter could be the first Buddhist symbol - the start of Early Buddhism.
And yes, there are a few occurrences of laypeople supposedly going spontaneously to the Buddha, Dhamma and Order of Monks for refuge. It is part of Early Buddhism, but not part of Dhamma practice IMO.