Chandaka

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Siddhartha and Chandaka, viewing the four sights.

Chandaka (P Channa; T. 'dun pa འདུན་པ་; C. Cheni; J. Shanoku; K. Ch’anik 車匿) was a royal servant and head charioteer of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Chandaka later became a disciple of the Buddha and achieved arhathood, as is described in the Dhammapada (verse 78).

In his role as Siddhartha's charioteer, Chandaka accompanied Siddhartha when Siddhartha saw the Four sights, which eventually prompted Siddhartha's decision to renounce the world. It was Chandaka who explained the meaning of the four sights.

Chandaka was later entrusted by Siddhartha to accompany him upon his departure from the royal palace to become an ascetic.

During the late hours of that very night, Siddhartha effected what has been called his Great Going Forth (The Great Renunciation). He had his charioteer saddle his great white horse Kanthaka then, making his way to where his wife and newborn son slept, he said his silent farewells. Together Gautama and his charioteer rode to the edge of the forest where he exchanged clothes with the servant, shaved his head and leaving everything behind he entered the forest in his quest for truth and liberation.

Following Siddhartha's instructions, Chandaka returned to the royal palace and gave Siddhartha's accouterments, weapons and hair to King Śuddhodana.

Upon Siddhartha's enlightenment as Gautama Buddha and return to Kapilavastu, Chandaka became a disciple of the Buddha, and a monk. He eventually achieved arhathood.

Further reading

• Ven., Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero (1993). Treasury of Truth Illustrated Dhammapada. 
• Electronic copy - verse 78
• Channa, palikanon.com
• Channa (Buddhist), Wikipedia