Icchāsutta
Desire
The Buddha describes eight cases where a mendicant has a desire for material things. Sometimes they fall under the sway of that desire, but sometimes they rise above it.
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Alaṁsutta
Good Enough
Eight sets of qualities pertain to benefiting oneself and others.
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Saṁkhittasutta
A Teaching in Brief
A monk asks for teachings before going on retreat, but the Buddha rebukes him, as he has not practiced sincerely. Nevertheless, he persists, and the Buddha teaches him meditation in detail.
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Gayāsīsasutta
At Gayā Head
At Gayā, the Buddha describes his meditation before awakening. He was able to see lights and forms, converse with gods, and understand the deeds that made them gods.
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Abhibhāyatanasutta
Dimensions of Mastery
Eight dimensions of meditative mastery, based on the vision of certain shapes and colors.
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Vimokkhasutta
Liberations
Eight meditative liberations, based on the vision of forms and the attainment of the formless.
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Anariyavohārasutta
Ignoble Expressions
Eight kinds of ignoble statement that misrepresent the truth.
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Ariyavohārasutta
Noble Expressions
Eight kinds of noble statement that convey the truth.
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Parisāsutta
Assemblies
Eight kinds of assemblies: aristocrats, brahmins, householders, ascetics, and various deities. The Buddha has visited each of these in disguise.
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Bhūmicālasutta
Earthquakes
When the Buddha gives up his life-force, an earthquake is felt. The Buddha explains to Ānanda the eight causes of earthquakes.