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).