The master carpenter (thapati) of Pasenadi, king of Kosala. He was a devoted follower of the Buddha and loved discussion.

The Bahuvedanīya Sutta (M.i.396 ff; see also S.iv.223 f) is based on a discussion between him and Paṇḍita Udāyi, which discussion Ānanda overheard and repeated to the Buddha. On another occasion, Pañcakaṅga (“Five Tools”) related to the Buddha the conversation he had had with the Paribbājaka Uggāhamāna-Samaṇamuṇḍikāputta, and the Buddha taught him the Samaṇamuṇḍikā Sutta (M.ii.23 ff).

The Anuruddha Sutta (M.iii.144 ff) contains a discussion between Anuruddha and Abhiya-Kaccāna, which took place at Pañcakaṅga’s house, to where he had invited them. The discussion was started by a question asked by Pañcakaṅga.

Buddhaghosa says (MA.ii.629; SA.iii.86) that Pañcakaṅga was the carpenter’s personal name, and that he was called “Five tools” because he carried the five tools of a carpenter: adze (vāsīpharasu), chisel (nikhādana), measuring stick (daṇḍa), mallet (muggara), and blackened thread (kālasutta). He explains “Thapati” by “vaḍḍhakī (architect) jeṭṭha (foremost).”

Pañcakaṅga Sutta.– See the Bahuvedanīya Sutta.