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there is one sutta that asserts ananda was sotapanna but when appraising the vast majority of ananda's episodes in the suttas it appears doubtful his mind was sotapanna


sotapanna is enlightenment and yes it is sudden. the moment the mind can genuinely let go, stream entry happens

but after it happens, we do not want to then run around advertising "i am enlightened" because "i am" is the contrary to enlightenment

ananda did not remain sotapanna he was a sotapanna while the buddha was alive he became arahant after the death of the buddha when he was afforded the time to practice. while the buddha was alive ananda was tending to the buddhas needs he had no time to practice, but he was perfecting his parmis so when the buddha died and he had time to practice he had reached a stage where he was ripened to attain arahantship.
at the time of the buddha the monks were aware of their own and others levels of attainment there is no ego involved, it is simply fact. to become sotapanna is available to all who practice properly, all levels of enlightenment are available to all who wish to practice.

jason