The Quest for Buddhism (16)

The family of Siddhartha (Buddha)

Nanda (Sundarananda Shakya) – Beautiful half brother, and one of his disciples of Buddha Part 2 [Story so far]

Although Nanda was about to wed his beautiful sister Janapada Kalyāni (Sundari Nanda) 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 to Janapada Kalyāni and his heart pined for her.

Learning of this, Buddha took Nanda on a journey to Traystrimsa (33 heavens) with the use of his divine powers (Abhijna: lit. "supernormal knowledge"). 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 in comparison to greater beauty?"

Upon hearing this, Nanda practiced diligently with the object of winning the celestial nymphs. However, when the other monks learned of Nanda's wish they ridiculed him and he eventually saw his motive as base, and renouncing desire, attained Arhatship.

After the Buddha's demise, the Mahayana philosopher Ashvaghosha, (lit. "Having a Horse-Voice") , who appeared between 6 and 700 CE, wrote the Sundarananda Kavya (The Righteous Nanda) on the model of Nanda.

仏教の探求 (16)

お釈迦さまの家族

孫陀羅難陀（そんだらなんだ、梵：スンダラ・ナンダ）〜美形の異母弟、弟子の一人・その２（これまでのお話）

ナンダはその日、美しい妹のジャナパダ・カリヤニ（スンダリ・ナンダ）との結婚式を控えていたが、出家してサンガ（僧伽）に加わった。しかし、ナンダは精神的な幸福を享受することはできず、彼の思考は常にジャナパダ・カーリヤーニに向けられ、彼の心は彼女から離れることはなかった。

それを知ったブッダは、神通力（六神通：ろくじんずう）の方便をもって、ナンダを忉利天（とうりてん・三十三天）への旅に連れ出した。

その途中、ナンダは火事で耳と鼻と尻尾を失った雌猿が、焼け焦げた切り株にしがみついているのを見た。天の住処に着くと、ナンダが美しい天女たちの姿を見かけたので、ブッダはナンダに尋ねた。“あの天女たちとジャナパダ・カリヤニのどちらが美しいと思うか？"

ナンダは答えた。「尊師、ジャナパダ・カリヤニは、それらの天女と比較して、やけどした雌猿のように見えます。」

ブッダは言った。「ナンダ、あなたが非常に美しいと思ったものが、今でよりも尚、美しいものに比べれば見劣りすることがわかりますか？」

それを聞いたナンダは、天女を獲得することを目標に熱心に修行した。しかし、ナンダの願いを知った他の僧たちは彼を嘲笑し、やがて彼は自分の動機が卑しいものであることを見抜き、欲望を捨て、阿羅漢に到達した。