Those who claim the eight year old Dragon King's daughter had to first change into a man before she obtained enlightenment are just plain wrong

The Dragon Kings daughter did in fact attain enlightenment BEFORE changing into a man:

"He profoundly understands the signs of guilt and good fortune

and illuminates the ten directions everywhere.

His subtle, wonderful, pure Dharma body

is endowed with the thirty-two features;

the eighty characteristics

adorn his Dharma body.

Heavenly and human beings gaze up in awe,

dragons too all pay honor and respect;

among all living beings,

none who do not hold him in reverence.

And having heard his teachings, I have attained enlightenment—

the Buddha alone can bear witness to this.

I unfold the doctrines of the great vehicle

to rescue living beings from suffering.

THEN, she transformed into a man to prove to Shariputra that she did indeed attain enlightenment as an eight year old girl.