Nanda

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Prince Nanda Shakya, also known as Sundarananda Shakya (handsome Nanda), was the younger half-brother of Gautama Buddha. He shared the same father as Buddha, King Śuddhodana, and his mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, was the Buddha's mother's younger sister. Nanda also had an older sister named Sundari Nanda. It was seven years after his Enlightenment that the 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 regarding whether he might become a monk. Although Nanda was about to wed a beautiful woman (Janapada Kalyāni) that same day, he took ordination and joined the community of Monks. However, Nanda Shakya enjoyed no spiritual happiness. His thoughts were constantly directed towards 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: "Nanda, can you see that what you thought to be exceedingly beautiful now pales...