Sirimane/Entering the Stream, 1. Introduction

In this introductory Chapter I have set out some current debates and controversies relating to the Buddhist religious experiences and identified some of the issues which are dealt with in this study. This study depends on both textual analysis and findings of field research based on reports of religious experiences of practitioners of the Path. Hence the issue of identifying those with attainments of the Path particularly for the purpose of the field research is a vital factor for the success of the study.