In Jobon (chapter 1, Introductory) of Hoke-kyo Sutra, the names of these Hachibushu are seen as 'nonhuman entities' in addition to 'humans' such as Biku (Buddhist priest), Bikuni (female Buddhist disciple), Ubasoku (upasaka) and Ubai (upasika) (devout men and women lay follower of Buddhism) as the audience.
法華経の序品（じょぼん）には、聴衆として比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷（出家在家の男女）などの「人」のほかに、この八部衆を「非人」として名が連ねられている。