Friends:

The 4 stepping stones to entering the Stream Supreme!

Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
Bhikkhus, there are these four factors of Stream-Entry.  What four?
1: Association with excellent persons, is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
2: Hearing the true Dhamma is a stepping-stone for this Stream-Entry.
3: Careful and rational attention is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
4: Praxis in agreement with the Dhamma is a stepping-stone for Stream-Entry.
These 4 factors of Stream-Entry does any Noble Disciple possess!

OBS: The Stream Winner!
A Stream-Enterer (Sotāpanna) has maximum 7 lives left before Enlightenment!
He/she cannot be reborn in hell, as a ghost, as an animal, nor as an angry demon,
and is thereby safe from the danger of kammic downfall.. Further details see:
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/Entering_the_Stream_Supreme.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/sotaapanna.htm
http://what-buddha-said.net/drops/IV/Stream_Entrance.htm 

More on gaining a surely safe future: Stream-Entry: (Sotāpati-magga):
Entering the Stream Supreme, Fine_Faith, Sangha_Entry, The_6_Keys,
Going_Upwards, Helpers_to_Stream_Entry, No_Fear! 

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. [V:343-4]
section 55: Sotāpattisamyutta. Thread 50: The 4 Factors...

The 4 Steps to Stream Entrance!

Have a nice & noble day!

Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net