The first monk that the Buddha Śākyamuni recognized as having understood his teachings.

Another name for Kauṇḍinya. As he was the first to understand the Buddha’s teaching on the four truths, he received the name Ājñāta­kauṇḍinya (Kauṇḍinya who understood).

One of the monks attending this teaching in Śrāvastī, at Jeta’s Grove. He was one of the five companions who joined Prince Siddhārtha while practicing austerities and attended his first turning of the wheel of Dharma at the Deer Park, after the Buddha’s awakening. As he was the first to understand the teachings on the four truths, he received the name Ājñāta­kauṇḍinya, meaning “Kauṇḍinya who understood.” Also known simply as Kauṇḍinya.

“Kauṇḍinya Who Understood.” Name of the first monk that the Buddha Śākyamuni recognized as having understood his teachings.

See “Kauṇḍinya.”

One of the five ascetics who later became the first five disciples of the Buddha.

One of the Buddha’s first five disciples.

Another name for Kauṇḍinya. As he was the first to understand the Buddha Śākyamuni’s teaching on the four truths of the noble ones, he received the name Ājñātakauṇḍinya (Kauṇḍinya Who Understood).

“Kauṇḍinya Who Understood.” Name of the first monk whom the Buddha Śākyamuni recognized as having understood his teachings.

Another name for Kauṇḍinya. As he was the first to understand the Buddha’s teaching on the four truths, he received the name Ājñātakauṇḍinya (“Kauṇḍinya who understood”).

Another name for Kauṇḍinya. One of the five monks present for the first teaching of the four noble truths; on account of his realization he became known as Venerable “All-Knowing Kauṇḍinya” or “Kauṇḍinya who understood” (Ājñāta­kauṇḍinya).

An arhat and disciple the Buddha Śākyamuni. He is counted among the five wandering mendicants (parivrājaka) who initially ridiculed the Buddha for abandoning his asceticism but later became one of his first disciples. Also known as Kauṇḍinyagotra and Kauṇḍinya.

A court priest in the Buddha’s father’s kingdom who predicted the Buddha’s enlightenment, he later became one of the Buddha’s five companions in asceticism. These five renounced the Buddha (then Siddhartha) when he abandoned asceticism, but after his enlightenment they became his disciples. Kauṇḍinya famously was the first to comprehend the Buddha’s teaching, and in that way became the first (after the Buddha) to gain the status of an arhat.