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Piṅgiyānī

1. Piṅgiyānī.– A brahmin of Vesāli. The Aṅguttaranikāya records a conversation between him and Kāraṇapālī. The latter meets Piṅgiyānī and, on learning that he was returning from a visit to the Buddha, asks him about the Buddha’s wisdom. Piṅgiyānī utters the Buddha’s praises with a wealth of simile and metaphor. Kāraṇapālī is impressed, and declares himself the Buddha’s follower (A.iii.236 ff). On another occasion, Piṅgiyānī is present when five hundred Licchavī come to pay honour to the Buddha at the Kūṭāgārasālā. The sight of the Buddha, sitting in their midst, outshining them all, inspires Piṅgiyānī and he bursts into song. The Licchavis give him five hundred upper garments, all of which he presents to the Buddha. Ibid., 239 f.

Buddhaghosa says (AA.ii.636) that Piṅgiyānī was a Non-returner. He went daily to the Buddha, with flowers and perfumes. See also Piṅgiya (3).

2. Piṅgiyānī.– Wife of Brahmadatta. One day when opening her window she saw a royal groom, with whom she fell in love, and when the king fell asleep, she climbed down through the window, lay with the groom, and climbed back again, after which she perfumed herself and lay down beside the king. The king eventually discovered her misdemeanour and proclaimed it to his ministers, depriving her of her royal rank.

The story is one of those related by Kuṇāla, who is identified with Brahmadatta (J.v.444). It is perhaps this story which is referred to as the Cūḷakuṇāla Jātaka.

Piṅgiyānī Sutta.– The story of the brahmin Piṅgiyānī uttering the Buddha’s praises before the Licchavī. When Piṅgiyānī ended his song of praise, the Buddha told the Licchavī of the five kinds of rare treasures: the Tathāgata, one who can teach the Dhamma-vinaya, one who recognises the Dhamma, one who follows the Dhamma, and one who is grateful. A.iii.239 ff.