He was a wealthy householder of Pāṭaliputta who, hearing that there were many shrines in Sri Lanka, made over his property to his family and left home with one single coin wrapt in the hem of his garment. He had to spend one month at the port waiting for a ship, and, during that time, made one thousand by his skill in trade. Arrived at the Mahāvihāra, he asked to be ordained, and when, at the time of his ordination, the money was discovered, he distributed it among those who were present. After five years he set out travelling, and, with the help of a devatā, found his way to Cittalapabbata-vihāra, where he stayed for four months. As he was about to leave, the devatā of the jambu tree, which stood at the head of his walking path (caṅkamana), appeared before him weeping, and explained that while the Thera was there the non-humans lived in peace, but that when he had gone they would start quarrelling and talking loudly. Several times he tried to leave, but was thus prevented, until, at last, he became an Arahant and died there. Vism.i.312 f; the story is referred to at AA.ii.865.