Saraṇaṅkara
1. Saraṇaṅkara. The Buddha who appeared in the world immediately before Dīpaṅkara. Bu.xxvii.1; J.i.44; MA.i.188.
2. Saraṇaá¹…kara Thera. An eminent monk of Sri Lanka. NarindasÄ«ha, attracted by his piety and learning, gave him, while yet a novice (sÄmaṇera), a reliquary studded with seven hundred jewels and numerous books, and also made provision for his maintenance. At the instance of the king, Saraṇaá¹…kara composed the SÄratthasaá¹…graha and Singhalese Commentaries on the MahÄbodhivaṃsa and the BhessajjamañjÅ«sÄ (Cv.xcvii.48ff).
When VijayarÄjasÄ«ha came to the throne, Saraṇaá¹…kara lived in the UposathÄrÄma and composed, at the king’s request, a Singhalese Commentary on the CatubhÄṇavÄra (Cv.xcviii.23f). In the reign of KittisirirÄjasÄ«ha he carried out, with the king’s help, many reforms among the monks, adopting strong measures against delinquents. He was also instrumental in persuading the king to send an embassy to King Dhammika of Thailand (SÄminda) in order to obtain from there a chapter of monks for the re establishment of the higher ordination (upasampadÄ) in Sri Lanka. When this had been done, the king invested Saraṇaá¹…kara with the dignity of Saá¹…gharÄja over Sri Lanka. Cv.c.49ff;101ff.
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