• Sanghabodhi

A Lambakanna, king of Ceylon (307-9 A.C.), generally called Sirisanghabodhi. He succeeded Sanghatissa and set up a salākā house in the Mahāvihāra. He was a very good king, and made rain fall by virtue of his goodness. He quelled the Yakkha Rattakkhi, who devastated his territory. When his treasurer, Gothakābhaya, rose in revolt, he abdicated in his favour and became an ascetic. Later, he gave his head in gratitude to a poor man who gave him a meal, so that the man could win from the king the price which had been set on his head. (Mhv.Xxxvi.73ff.; Dpv. xxii.53f ).

The legend of the king surrendering his head is famous in Ceylon, and forms the theme of a Pāli Chronicle, the Hatthavanagallavihāravamsa.