Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.315

v2.c36.315

As soon as they saw him, they captured him and prepared for the sacrifice. The man then offered to provide them with a victim of far higher status than himself, and led them to the monks. Knowing their habits, he struck the bell and they all assembled. When the robbers made known their design, each one of the monks offered himself as a victim, and in the end Saṅkicca, with great difficulty, persuaded the others to let him go. The thieves took Saṅkicca, and, when all was ready, the leader approached him with drawn sword. Saṅkicca entered into *samādhi*, and when the blow was struck, the sword buckled and bent at the end and split from hilt to top. Mārvelling at this, the thieves did obeisance to Saṅkicca, and, after listening to his preaching, asked leave to be ordained. Saṅkicca agreed to this, and, having ordained them, took them to the other monks. There he took leave of them and went with his following to the Buddha. In due course, Saṅkicca received the higher ordination, and ten years later he ordained his sister's son, Atimuttaka (Adhimuttaka), who, likewise, ordained five hundred thieves.³