Then the venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One: "Verily, I
believe that in this whole assembly of the brethren there is not
one brother who has any doubt or misgiving as to the Buddha, or
the truth, or the path!" 17
Said the Blessed One: "It is out of the fullness of faith that
thou hast spoken, Ānanda! But, Ānanda, the Tathāgata knows for
certain that in this whole assembly of the brethren there is not
one brother who has any doubt or misgiving as to the Buddha, or
the truth, or the path! For even the most backward, Ānanda, of
all these brethren has become converted, and is assured of final
salvation." 18
Then the Blessed One addressed the brethren and said: "If ye now
know the Dharma, the cause of all suffering, and the path of
salvation, O disciples, will ye then say: 'We respect the Master,
and out of reverence for the Master do we thus speak?'" 19