Mahasihanadasutta 1.22

1.22

‘Now it may well be, Kassapa, that the recluses of adverse schools may say: “The Samaṇa Gotama utters forth a lion’s roar; but it is in solitude that he roars, not where men are assembled.” Then should they be answered: “Say not so. The Samaṇa Gotama utters his lion’s roar, and that too in the assemblies where men congregate.”
‘And it may well be, Kassapa, that the recluses of adverse schools should thus, in succession, raise each of the following objections
” But it is not in full confidence that he roars:
‘” But men put no questions to him:
‘” But even when questioned, he cannot answer:” But even when he answers. he gives no satisfaction by his exposition of the problem put:
‘"But men do not hold his opinion worthy to be listened to:
‘"But even when men listen to his word, they experience no conviction therefrom:
‘"But even when convinced, men give no outward sign of their faith:
‘” But even when they give such outward sign, they arrive not at the truth:
‘” But even when they arrive at the truth they cannot carry it out: “‘Then in each such case, Kassapa, they should be answered as before, until the answer runs: “Say not so. For the Samaṇa Gotama both utters forth his lion’s roar, and that too in assemblies where men congregate, and in full confidence in the justice of his claim, and men put their questions to him on that, and on being questioned he expounds the problem put, and by his exposition thereof satisfaction arises in their hearts, and they hold it worthy to listen to his word, and in listening to it they experience conviction, and being convinced they give outward signs thereof, and they penetrate even to the truth, and having grasped it they are able also to carry the truth out!
23.‘I was staying once, Kassapa, at Rājagaha, on the hill called the Vulture’s Peak. And there a follower of the same mode of life as yours, by name Nigrodha, asked me a question about the higher forms of austere scrupulousness of life. And having been thus questioned I expounded the problem put. And when I had thus answered what he asked, he was well pleased, as if with a ‘ great joy .’
‘And who, Sir, on hearing the doctrine of the Exalted One, would not be well pleased, as if with a great joy. I also, who have now heard the doctrine of the Exalted One, am thus well pleased, even as if with a great joy. Most excellent, Lord, are the words of thy mouth, most excellent, just as if a man were to set up what has been thrown down, or were to reveal that which has been hidden away, or were to point out the right road to him who has gone astray, or were to bring a lamp into the darkness, so that those who have eyes could see external forms—just even so, Lord, has the truth been made known to me, in many a figure, by the Exalted One. And I, even I, betake myself as my guide to the Exalted One, and to the Doctrine and to the Brotherhood. I would fain, Lord, renounce the world under the Exalted One; I would fain be admitted to his Order.’