He belonged to a wealthy family of Sāvatthi, and, after joining the Order, lived with another monk in a forest tract, meditating. Near them a doe had given birth in a thicket to a fawn. While she tended it, her love kept her always near it, and she was famished for lack of grass and water. On seeing her, the Thera repeated: “Alas! this world suffers, bound in bonds of craving,” and with this as his incentive, he developed insight and won Arahantship. Seeing his companion cherish wrong thoughts, the Thera admonished him in a verse, (Thag.vs.109) and he, too, became an Arahant.

Ninety-four world-cycles ago, Saṅgharakkhita saw seven Pacceka Buddhas at the foot of a rock and offered them kadamba flowers. Ninety-two world-cycles ago he was king seven times, under the name of Phulla (ThagA.i.216 f).

He is evidently identical with Kadambapupphiya of the Apadāna. Ap.i.178.