[99] Ānanda, there are these eight assemblies (parisā). What eight? The assembly of khattiyas, the assembly of brahmins, the assembly of householders, the assembly of ascetics, the assembly of the gods of the Four Great Kings, the assembly of the Tāvatiṃsa gods, the assembly of Māras, and the assembly of Brahmās.
I recall, Ānanda, having approached many hundreds of assemblies of khattiyas. There too I have formerly sat with them, formerly conversed with them, and formerly engaged in discussion. There, whatever their appearance was, such was my appearance; whatever their voice was, such was my voice. And with a talk on the Dhamma I instructed, encouraged, roused, and gladdened them; and while I was speaking they did not know me, thinking, 'Who is this that speaks—a god or a human being?' And having instructed, encouraged, roused, and gladdened them with a talk on the Dhamma, I vanished; and when I had vanished they did not know me, thinking, 'Who is this that has vanished—a god or a human being?'
I recall, Ānanda, having approached many hundreds of assemblies of brahmins … of householders … of ascetics … of the gods of the Four Great Kings … of the Tāvatiṃsa gods … of Māras … of Brahmās. There too I have formerly sat with them, formerly conversed with them, and formerly engaged in discussion. There, whatever their appearance was, such was my appearance; whatever their voice was, such was my voice. And with a talk on the Dhamma I instructed, encouraged, roused, and gladdened them; and while I was speaking they did not know me, thinking, 'Who is this that speaks—a god or a human being?' And having instructed, encouraged, roused, and gladdened them with a talk on the Dhamma, I vanished; and when I had vanished they did not know me, thinking, 'Who is this that has vanished—a god or a human being?'
These, Ānanda, are the eight assemblies.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.