“Yes, sir,” replied Soṇa. He intoned all sixteen discourses in the Chapter of the Eights. When Soṇa finished his intoning, the Buddha applauded, saying, “Good, good, mendicant! You have learned the sixteen discourses of the Chapter of the Eights well, you have applied the mind and remembered it well. You are a good speaker, with a polished, clear, and articulate voice that expresses the meaning. How many rains have you been ordained, mendicant?” “I have one rains, Blessed One.” “But why did it take you so long to make it?” “Sir, I have long seen the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, yet living in a house is cramped, with many duties and much to do.”
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“Seeing the danger of the world, I understood the truth without attachments. The Noble One does not delight in evil, the Pure One does not delight in evil.”
Heartfelt Sayings 5.7 With Revata the Doubter
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time Venerable Revata the Doubter was sitting not far from the Buddha, cross-legged, with his body straight, reviewing his own purification by traversing doubt.
The Buddha saw him meditating there.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“Any doubts about this life or the next, about one’s own experiences or those of another: those who meditate give them all up, keenly practicing the spiritual life.”
Heartfelt Sayings 5.8 Schism in the Saṅgha