Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c17.66

v1.c17.66

3. Channa.—Gotama’s charioteer and companion, born on the same day as Gotama.¹ When Gotama left household life, Channa rode with him on the horse Kanthaka as far as the river Anomā. There Gotama gave him his ornaments and bade him take Kanthaka back to his father’s palace.² When, however, Kanthaka died of a broken heart, Channa’s grief was great, for he had suffered a double loss. It is said that he begged for leave to join Gotama as a recluse, but this leave was refused.³ He therefore returned to Kapilavatthu, but when the Buddha visited his Sakyan kinsfolk, Channa joined the Order. Because of his great affection for the Buddha, however, egotistical pride in “ our Buddha, our Doctrine ” arose in him and he could not conquer this fondness nor fulfil his duties as a bhikkhu.⁴