A very learned brahmin of Khāṇumata, which village had been given to him by King Bimbisāra as a brahmadeyya. The Buddha arrived at Khāṇumata when Kūṭadanta was making preparations for a great sacrifice and, wishing this sacrifice to be successful, he consulted the Buddha on the holding of sacrifices. The Buddha taught him the Kūṭadanta Sutta. At the end of the discourse he became a Stream-winner (sotāpanna) (D.i.127 ff).

The conversion of Kūṭadanta is considered one of the great spiritual victories won by the Buddha (e.g., J.vi.329). As a disputant, Kūṭadanta is classed with Ambaṭṭha, Soṇadaṇḍa, and Saccaka, e.g., MA.ii.697.