Why isn't Buddhānussati more popular in the West?
I doubt faith, virtue &amp; devotion to the Buddha (alone) can bring stream-entry because these suttas include penetration of lokuttara dhamma as one of the four factors of stream-entry, namely:


  He is endowed with verified (avecca) confidence in the Dhamma: 'The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One, to be seen here &amp; now, timeless,
  inviting verification, pertinent, to be realized by the wise for
  themselves.'
  
  avecca absol. understanding, having penetrated (see aveti)


This surely must mean enlightenment to the noble truths &amp; liberating anatta, which ends the fetters of self-belief (sakkāya-diṭṭhi) &amp; doubt (vicikicchā). It also appears to negate beliefs in reincarnation as factors of stream-entry because the dhamma to be verified is to be seen here &amp; now, etc.