According to Buddhist tradition, the Magadha king who became a patron of Gautama Buddha was Bimbisara.
Bimbisara ruled Magadha during the Buddha’s lifetime and is portrayed in Buddhist sources as an important royal supporter. After meeting the Buddha, he is traditionally said to have offered the Bamboo Grove, or Veluvana, near Rajgir for the use of the Buddhist community. It is remembered as one of the earliest monastery sites associated with the Buddha.
Bimbisara’s patronage helped connect the growing Buddhist movement with powerful urban and political centers in northeastern India. Traditional accounts also describe him as a lay follower who supported monks and listened to the Buddha’s teachings.
Ajatashatru was Bimbisara’s son and successor, while Pasenadi ruled Kosala. Suddhodana, by contrast, is traditionally described as Siddhartha Gautama’s father and a Shakya ruler.