Nanda — The Buddha's Half-Brother

Nanda was the Buddha's half-brother, a remarkably handsome prince. On the very day of his wedding to the beautiful princess Janapadakalyani, the Buddha visited the palace for alms. He placed his begging bowl in Nanda's hands and silently walked away.

Reverence prevented Nanda from asking the Buddha to take the bowl back. As Nanda followed the Buddha out, his bride cried out, 'Please return quickly, my noble lord!' Her words pierced Nanda's heart. However, the Buddha led him straight to the monastery and ordained him as a monk.

As a monk, Nanda was utterly miserable. He was consumed by lust and longing for his bride. He stopped eating, grew thin, and constantly talked about leaving the monastic life.

Knowing this, the Buddha took Nanda by the arm and used his psychic power to transport them to the Tavatimsa Heaven. On the way, they saw a horrific, burnt female monkey. In heaven, they saw five hundred stunningly beautiful celestial nymphs (apsaras).

The Buddha asked, 'Nanda, who is more beautiful? Your bride or these nymphs?' Nanda replied, 'Lord, compared to these nymphs, my bride looks like that burnt monkey!' The Buddha promised Nanda the 500 nymphs if he practiced the holy life perfectly.

Motivated by desire for the nymphs, Nanda practiced meditation intensely. The other monks mocked him for practicing the Dhamma just to get women. Ashamed, Nanda reflected deeply on the nature of desire. He realized all sensual pleasure is temporary and leads to suffering. He achieved Arahantship (enlightenment) and went to the Buddha to release him from his promise.