69(9)Assemblies
Also at DN 16.3.21-23,II 109-10.
"Bhikkhus,there are these eight assemblies.
What eight?
An assembly of khattiyas,an assembly of brahmins,an assembly of householders,an assembly of ascetics,an assembly of the devas[ruled by]the four great kings,an assembly of the Tāvatimsa devas,an assembly of Māra,an assembly of Brahmā.
(1)"Now I recall,bhikkhus,approaching an assembly consisting of many hundreds of khattiyas.
I previously sat there,conversed,and held discussions.
I appeared just like them,and my voice became like their voice.
I instructed,encouraged,inspired,and gladdened them with a Dhamma talk,
and while I was speaking they did not recognize me but thought:
'Who is it that is speaking,a deva or a human being?'
Having instructed,encouraged,inspired,and gladdened them with a Dhamma talk,I disappeared,
and when I had disappeared they did not recognize me but thought:
'Who was it that has disappeared,a deva or a human being?'
This passage,which shows the Buddha as a master of bodily transformations,seems to have proto Mahayānistic features.Mp comments:"Whether the others are white,black,or brown,the Teacher is golden-colored.But this is stated with reference to shape.And the shape alone is perceived by them.It is not the case that the Blessed One becomes like a foreigner or like one wearing pearl earrings;he sits there in the form of a Buddha.But they see him as having the same shape as themselves.Some speak with a broken voice,some with a cackling voice,some with the voice of a crow,but the Teacher always has the voice of Brahma.This is stated with reference to the language.For if the Teacher is sitting in a king's seat,they think,'The king speaks sweetly today.'When the Blessed One departs after speaking,and they see the [real]king arrive,they wonder:'Who was that?'...Even though they investigate,they do not know.Then why does the Buddha teach the Dhamma to them if they do not know?To plant impressions(vasanatthaya).For when the Dhamma is heard even in such a way,it becomes a condition for the future.Thus he teaches out of consideration for the future.".[308](2)-(8)"Then I recall,bhikkhus,approaching an assembly consisting of many hundreds of brahmins...an assembly consisting of many hundreds of householders...an assembly consisting of many hundreds of ascetics...an assembly consisting of many hundreds of the devas [ruled by]the fourgreat kings...an assembly consisting of many hundreds of the Tavatimsa devas...an assembly consisting of many hundreds under Mara...an assembly consisting of many hundreds under Brahma.
I previously sat there,conversed,and held discussions.
I appeared just like them,and my voice became like their voice.
I instructed,encouraged,inspired,and gladdened them with a Dhamma talk,
and while I was speaking they did not recognize me but thought:
'Who is it that is speaking,a deva or ahuman being?'
Having instructed,encouraged,inspired,and gladdened them witha Dhamma talk,I disappeared,
and when I had disappeared they did not recognize me but thought:
'Who was it that has.disappeared,a deva or a human being?'
"These,bhikkhus,are the eight assemblies."