[97] Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Blessed One … Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said to the Blessed One: "Here, venerable sir, wanderers of other sects (aññatitthiyā paribbājakā) ask us thus: 'For what purpose, friend, is the holy life (brahmacariya) lived under the ascetic Gotama?' Being asked thus, venerable sir, we answer those wanderers of other sects thus: 'It is, friend, for the full understanding (pariññā) of suffering (dukkha) that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.' When, venerable sir, being asked thus, we answer thus, do we speak what has been said by the Blessed One and not misrepresent the Blessed One with what is untrue? Do we explain in accordance with the Dhamma, so that no legitimate consequence of our assertion comes to a ground for criticism?"
"Certainly, bhikkhus, being asked thus and answering thus, you speak what has been said by me and do not misrepresent me with what is untrue; you explain in accordance with the Dhamma, and no legitimate consequence of your assertion comes to a ground for criticism. For it is, bhikkhus, for the full understanding of suffering that the holy life is lived under me. But if, bhikkhus, wanderers of other sects should ask you thus: 'And what, friend, is that suffering for the full understanding of which the holy life is lived under the ascetic Gotama?' — being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects thus: 'The eye, friend, is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Forms … Whatever feeling (vedanā) arises with eye-contact (cakkhusamphassa) as condition — whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant — that too is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.' … 'The mind is suffering … Whatever feeling arises with mind-contact as condition — whether pleasant or painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant — that too is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. This, friend, is that suffering for the full understanding of which the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.' Being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects thus."
The eighth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.