A deva, vassal of the Four Regent Gods (D.ii.258). He is mentioned as one of the chief yakkhas to be invoked by followers of the Buddha in case of need (D.iii.204). He once visited Lomasakaṅgiya at the Nigrodhārāma, questioned him regarding the True Saint, and recited to him stanzas learnt when the Buddha taught the Bhaddekaratta Sutta in Tāvatiṃsa (M.iii.199 f) (but see below).

The Saṃyuttanikāya (S.i.53) records a conversation between Candana and the Buddha and a visit paid by Candana to Mahā-Moggallāna (S.iv.280). Buddhaghosa (MA.ii.951) says he was a lay disciple in the time of Kassapa Buddha and offered the four requisites to the Buddha and the monks, as a result of which he became a deva. It is elsewhere stated that in Kassapa’s time Candana and Lomasakaṅgiya were friends and that both became monks. (ThagA.i.84 f. In this version not Candana, but Lomasakaṅgiya, expounds the Sutta; in M.iii.199 f.it is Candana).

When Kassapa taught the Bhaddekaratta Sutta, Candana asked Lomasakaṅgiya to explain it; this he was unable to do, and so made a wish that he should be able to explain it in a future birth, Candana wishing that he should then ask the questions again. Both wishes were fulfilled. For details see Lomasakaṅgiya.