Nigrodha
1. Nigrodha
A Paribbajaka. Once, when he was staying with a large number of colleagues at the Udumbarikarama near Rajagaha, Sandhana, on his way to see the Buddha, stopped him and entered into conversation. The Buddha, by his divine ear, hearing their talk, approached them and continued the discussion with Nigrodha; this discussion is recorded in the Udumbarika Sihanada Sutta.
D.iii.36ff.; this discussion is also referred to in the Kassapa Sihanada Sutta (D.i.175 f.). There Nigrodha is said to have felt great joy, but this is not mentioned in the Udumbarika Sihanada (see D.iii.57).
2. Nigrodha
The Bodhisatta born as the son of a Banker in Rajagaha, later becoming king of Benares. For details see the Nigrodha Jataka.
3. Nigrodha Thera
He belonged to an eminent brahmin family of Savatthi. On the day of the dedication of Jetavana, he saw the majesty of the Buddha and entered the Order, becoming an arahant soon after. Eighteen kappas ago, in the time of Piyadassi Buddha, he left great riches and became an ascetic, dwelling in a sala grove. Once, seeing the Buddha wrapped in samadhi, he built a bower over him, and stood there with clasped hands until the Buddha awoke from his samadhi. Then, at the Buddhas wish, the Sangha too came to the sala grove, and in their presence the Buddha predicted the ascetics future (ThagA.i.74f; Thag.21).
Nigrodha is probably identical with Salamandapiya of the Apadana. Ap.ii.431f.; but the same Apadana verses are also given under Tissa Thera (ThagA.i.273).
4. Nigrodha
See Nigrodhamiga and Vattabbaka Nigrodha.
5. Nigrodha
A Sakiyan, owner of the Nigrodharama (q.v.). J.i.88.
6. Nigrodha
Commonly known as Nigrodha samanera. He was the son of Sumana, the eldest of Bimbisaras children, and his mother was Sumana. When Asoka slew Sumana, his wife, who was with child, fled to a candala village, where the guardian deity of a nigrodha tree built her a hut. Here she gave birth to her son, whom she named after her benefactor. The chief candala looked after them. When Nigrodha was seven years old, the Thera Mahavaruna ordained him, and he became an arahant in the tonsure hall. One day, while walking near the palace, Asoka saw him and, because of their connection in a past life, was attracted by him. Nigrodha had been one of the three brothers who gave honey to a Pacceka Buddha in a past life (for the story see Asoka and Mhv.v.49ff). Nigrodha had called the Pacceka Buddha a candala, hence he was born in a candala village. Asoka invited Nigrodha to the palace and entertained him, and Nigrodha preached to him the Appamada Vagga. The king was greatly pleased, and offered to give food daily at the palace to thirty two monks in Nigrodhas name.
