Complex sentence: In the west, there is a misconception that Theravada regards enlightenment to be an impossible goal outside the Sangha, but in Theravada suttas, it is clearly recorded that the Buddha's uncle, a lay follower, reached enlightenment by hearing the Buddha's discourse.
Split into simpler sentences: In the west, there is a misconception that Theravada regards enlightenment to be an impossible goal outside the Sangha. In Theravada suttas, it is clearly recorded that the Buddha's uncle--who was a lay follower--reached enlightenment by hearing the Buddha's discourse.