Prince Nanda, was the younger half-brother of the Buddha. He shared the same father as the Buddha, King Śuddhodana and his mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, was the Buddha’s mother’s younger sister.
It was seven years after His Enlightenment, that Buddha, at the request of his father who missed him dearly, returned to his home city of Kapilavatthu.
On the third day of His return, the Buddha, after partaking of his meal, silently handed His bowl to Nanda, rose and exited. Thinking that the Buddha would take His bowl (back), Nanda followed him until he reached the Park of Nigrodha, where the Buddha was staying. This was the Buddha’s silent demonstration of the Dhamma to his younger brother: a scene which is often represented in Greco-Buddhist art.
When they arrived at the Park, the Buddha questioned Nanda whether he might become a Monk and although Nanda had just been wed the beautiful Janapada Kalyāni that same day, Nanda took ordination and joined the community of Monks.
But Nanda enjoyed no spiritual happiness. His thoughts were constantly directed towards to Janapada Kalyāni and his heart pined for her.
Learning of this, the Buddha took Nanda on a journey to Tavatimsa Heaven or Trāyastriṃśa. On the way Nanda saw a she-monkey that had lost her ears, nose and tail in a fire, clinging to a charred stump. When they reached the heaven abode, Nanda saw beautiful celestial nymphs and the Buddha asked Nanda: “Which do you consider more beautiful? Those nymphs or Janapada Kalyāni?”
Nanda replied: “Venerable Sir, Janapada Kalyāni looks like the scalded she-monkey, compared to those nymphs.”
The Buddha said: “Cheer up Nanda. I promise that you will join the company of those nymphs if you persist as I bid you and take pleasure in living the Holy Life.”
Upon hearing this, Nanda practiced diligently with the object of winning the celestial nymphs. However, when the other Monks learnt of Nanda’s wish they ridiculed him and he eventually saw his motive as base, and renouncing desire, attained Arhatship.
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References
- Dictionary of Buddhism, Keown, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-860560-9
- "The Buddha and His Teaching", Nārada, Buddhist Missionary Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1988, ISBN: 967-9920-44-5
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