Pañcakaṅga untranslated

Pañcakaṅga. The Thapati of Pasenadi, king of Kosala. He was a devoted follower of the Buddha and loved discussion.

The Bahuvedanīyasutta (MN.i.396ff.; see also SN.iv.223f) is based on a discussion between him and Mahā Udāyī, which discussion Ānanda overheard and repeated to the Buddha. On another occasion, Pañcakaṅga related to the Buddha the conversation he had had with the Paribbājaka Uggāhamāna Samaṇa Maṇḍikāputta, and the Buddha preached to him the Samaṇamaṇḍikāsutta (MN.ii.23ff).

The Anuruddhasutta contains a discussion between Anuruddha and Abhiya Kaccāna, which took place at Pañcakaṅga’s house, whither he had invited them (MN.iii.144ff). The discussion was started by a question asked by Pañcakaṅga. Buddhaghosa says that Pañcakaṅga was the Thapati’s personal name, and that he was so-called (“Five Tools”) because he carried the five tools of a carpenter: vāsīpharasu (adze), nikhādana (chisel), daṇḍa (measuring stick), muggara (gavel), and kāḷasutta (blackened thread) (MN­a.ii.629; SN­a.iii.86). He explains Thapati by vaḍḍhakī jeṭṭha.