Understand the discrepancy in the number of stream-entry factors between translations/suttas

[JK-B]

Dear Sangha,

In MN 48 (Kosambiya Sutta), the Suddhāso translation lists seven factors for stream-entry (faith, moral shame, moral dread, learned, energetic, mindful, wise), whereas other suttas like SN 55.5 describe four. Could someone explain why this difference exists in MN 48? Is it a unique contextual emphasis or a translation choice?

(I would have thought the Buddha also discussed 7 knowledges that monks should cultivate to achieve spiritual growth and resolve conflicts.)

Apologies if this was addressed earlier - my search may have missed it. Kindly redirect me if so. Grateful for your guidance.

[trusolo]

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[stephen]

If you don’t mind a reply from a non-sangha member:

Yes, traditionally the four factors are:

“Sappurisasaṁsevo hi, bhante, sotāpattiyaṅgaṁ, saddhammassavanaṁ sotāpattiyaṅgaṁ, yonisomanasikāro sotāpattiyaṅgaṁ, dhammānudhammappaṭipatti sotāpattiyaṅgan”ti.

i.e. association with true/noble people, listening to the true Dhamma, wise attention, and practice according to the Dhamma.

In the Kosambiya Sutta, there are 7 “great reviewing knowledges” mahāpaccavekkaṇañaṇa.
(note this seems a commentarial label and these 7 are not called ‘factors’.)

-“There is no obsession unabandoned in myself that might so obsess my mind that I cannot know and see things as they really are. My mind is well disposed to awakening to the [4 Noble] truths.”

-“When I pursue, develop, and cultivate this view I personally obtain serenity. I personally obtain quenching.”

-“There is no other recluse or brahmin outside [the Buddha’s dispensation] possessed of a view such as I possess.”

-“I possess the character of a person who possesses right view.”
(“although he may commit some kind of offense…still he at once confesses, reveals, and discloses it to the Teacher or to wise companions…”)

-“I possess the character of a person who possesses right view.”
(“he has a keen regard for training in the higher virtue, training in the higher mind, and training in the higher wisdom.”)

-“I possess the strength of a person who possesses right view.”
(“when the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata is being taught, he heeds it, gives it attention, engages it with all his mind, hears the Dhamma as with eager ears.”)

-“I possess the strength of a person who possesses right view.”
(“when the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata is being taught, he gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma.”)

-Ven. Bodhi, trans.

So, the 4 factors seem broad categories of what need to occur, the 7 knowledges are personal reflections conducted by the practitioner to insure they are practicing correctly and remain on the path.

[arkiuat]

@JK-B

the Suddhāso translation lists seven factors for stream-entry (faith, moral shame, moral dread, learned, energetic, mindful, wise), whereas other suttas like SN 55.5 describe four. Could someone explain why this difference exists in MN 48? Is it a unique contextual emphasis or a translation choice?

It may be partially a translation choice on Suddhāso’s part, because I notice that Ven Sujato’s translation of MN 48 lists these seven as fruits of stream-entry, not factors of stream-entry, which is how he translates the four in SN 55.5.