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.