He was born in the pleasance of Anoma (Commentary, Anūpama), his father being the khattiya Suppatita (Supatita) and his mother Yasavatī.

* [1][2] He is venerated by the Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana traditions.

He is believed to have lived for six thousand years as a householder in three palaces: Ruci, Suruci and Vaddhana (Rativaddhana); his wife was Sucittā, and their son Suppabuddha.

He left home in a golden palanquin, practiced austerities for six months, was given kheera (a milk-rice pudding) by Sirivaddhanā of Sucittanigama, and grass for his seat by the Nāga king Narinda, and attained Enlightenment under a sāla tree.

He preached his first sermon at Anurārāma to his brothers, Sona and Uttara, who became his chief disciples.