Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.2508

v1.c6.2508

We are not told that Ambaṭṭha became a follower of the Buddha. Buddhaghosa says⁵ that the Buddha knew that Ambaṭṭha would not profit by his discourse in his present life (*iminā attabhāvena maggapātubhāvo natthi*), and that therefore a sermon with the idea of converting him would only have meant spending unnecessary time. Ambaṭṭha himself only visited the Buddha on account of his interest in physiognomy. According to Buddhaghosa the idea of the Buddha in preaching the Ambaṭṭha Sutta at such length was that it might be repeated to Pokkharasādi.