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A mahāsāla brahmin, contemporary of the Buddha, reputed for his great
learning and highly esteemed in brahmin gatherings - e.g., at
Icchānangala (Sn., p.115) and at
Manasākata (D.i.235).
He is mentioned together with such eminent and wealthy brahmins as
Tārukkha,
Pokkharasādi, Jānussoni and
Todeyya (E.g., M.ii.202).
Cankī lived in the brahmin village of Opasāda,
on a royal fief granted him by Pasenadi. When
the Buddha came to Opasāda, Cankī visited him, in spite of the protests of his
friends and colleagues, and on this occasion was preached the
Cankī Sutta (M.ii.164f).
We are not told that Cankī ever became a follower of the Buddha, though
Buddhaghosa says that he held the Buddha in
great esteem. MA.i.394; this also appears from the introductory part of the
Cankī Sutta.

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