King Bimbisāra, the Great Friend and Devoted Lay Disciple of the Buddha, the Powerful Dharma Protector of Patronage of Buddhism in the Buddha’s Time. King Bimbisāra, born in 558 B.C.E., (2020 + 558 = 2,578 years), died in 491 B.C.E., (2020 + 491 = 2,511 years), and Enjoyed life 67 years old. His father was King Bhattiya. Bimbisara was the King of Magadha and patron of the Buddha. He ascended the throne at the age of fifteen and reigned in Rājagaha for fifty two years.
The Buddha was five years older than Bimbisāra, and less than fifteen years after ascending the throne, King Bimbisāra just listened to the Buddha’s sermon and became a lay disciple of the Buddha. It is said (Mhv.ii.25ff.; Dpv.iii.50ff) that the two were friends in their…
