• Sambhūta

1. Sambhūta. A candāla, brother of Citta. He was the Bodhisatta's sister's son. See the Citta Sambhūta Jātaka. Sambhūta is identified with Ananda. 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 aññā, are included in the Theragāthā (Thag.vs.6).

It is said (ThagA.ii.46) that when Sambhūta was meditating, Vessavana 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 Vessavana's message offering him protection. But he refused their protection saying that the mindfulness taught by the Buddha was sufficient guard. On his return journey, Vessavana again visited him, and, realizing 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 Taraniya Thera of the Apadāna. Ap.i.204f.; see also VibhA.306 and SA.iii.201, where Sambhūta is given as an example of one who developed lokuttaradhamma by developing the heart (cittam dhuram katvā).

3. Sambhūta Thera. He belonged to a family of clansmen and joined the Order under Ananda, after the Buddha's death, attaining arahantship in due course.

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

At that time he lived on Ahogangapabbata and was called Sānavāsī because he wore a hempen robe.

At the assembly of the arahants held on Ahogangapabbata, Sambhūta suggested that they should seek the support of Soreyya Revata. Together they went to Sabbakāmī, 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., 303ff.; ThagA.i.390 f.; Mhv.iv.18, 57; Dpv. iv.49; v.22; Sp.i.34f.

A series of verses uttered by Sambhūta, moved by righteous emotion at the proposed perversion of the Dhamma and Vinaya by the Vajjiputtakas, 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.