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Sambhūta

1. Sambhūta.– An outcaste (caṇḍāla), brother of Citta. He was the Bodhisatta’s sister’s son. See the Citta-Sambhūta Jātaka. Sambhūta is identified with Ānanda. J.iv.401.

2. Sambhūta Thera.– A brahmin of Rājagaha who, with his friends, Bhūmija, Jeyyasena and Abirādhana, entered the Order. Because he stayed continuously in the Sītavana, meditating on the nature of the body, he came to be called Sītavaniya. In due course he won Arahantship, and the verses, declaring his knowledge (aññā), are included in the Theragāthā (Thag.vs.6).

It is said (ThagA.i.46) that when Sambhūta was meditating, Vessavaṇa passing that way, saw him and worshipped him, and left two Yakkhas to keep guard and to tell Sambhūta of his visit. When the Thera had finished his meditations, the yakkhas gave him Vessavaṇa’s message offering him protection. However, he refused their protection saying that the mindfulness taught by the Buddha was sufficient guard. On his return journey, Vessavaṇa again visited him, and, realising from the appearance of the elder that he had achieved his goal, went to the Buddha at Sāvatthi and announced to him Sambhūta’s attainment.

Sambhūta had been a householder in the time of Atthadassī Buddha, and conveyed the Buddha and a large company across a river. He is probably identical with Taraṇiya Thera of the Apadāna. Ap.i.204 f; see also VibhA.306 and SA.iii.201, where Sambhūta is given as an example of one who developed supramundane states (lokuttaradhamma) by developing the heart (cittaṃ dhuraṃ katvā).

3. Sambhūta Thera.– He belonged to a family of clansmen and joined the Order under Ānanda, after the Buddha’s death, attaining Arahantship in due course.

He lived in the bliss of emancipation, until one century after the Buddha’s death, and, when the Vajjiputtakā heresy arose, his help was sought by Yasa Kākandakaputta.

At that time he lived on Ahogaṅga-pabbata and was called Sānavāsi because he wore a hempen robe.

At the assembly of the Arahants held on Ahogaṅga-pabbata, Sambhūta suggested that they should seek the support of Soreyya Revata. Together they went to Sabbakāma, and Sambhūta questioned him regarding the “Ten Points.”

Sambhūta was one of the monks appointed to the committee to discuss the points raised, and when they were declared heretical, he joined in the holding of the Second Council. Vin.ii.298 f., 303 ff; ThagA.i.390 f; Mhv.iv.18, 57; Dpv.iv.49; v.22; Sp.i.34 f.

A series of verses uttered by Sambhūta, moved by righteous emotion at the proposed perversion of the Dhamma and Vinaya by the Vajjiputtakā, is included in the Theragāthā (Thag.vss.291‑4).

In the past, during a period when there were no Buddhas in the world, Sambhūta was a kinnara on the banks of the Candabhāgā, and seeing a Pacceka Buddha, he worshipped him and offered him ajjuna flowers.

He is evidently identical with Ajjunapupphiya of the Apadāna. Ap.i.450.