Seven Celestial Maidens and the Story of Prince Nanda

The story of Prince Nanda, the younger brother of the Buddha, who was swept into the whirlwind of desire and awakened through a miraculous journey to the heavenly realms.

The capital city of Kapilavastu had never been so radiant. Deep red silk banners hung along the main streets, stretching from the city gates all the way to the royal palace. Lanterns glowed with vibrant colors, and fragrant flower pots were arranged everywhere. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, filled with laughter and chatter, for today was a momentous occasion: the wedding of Prince Nanda, the Buddha’s younger brother, to Janapadi, a beauty renowned throughout the neighboring kingdoms.

Prince Nanda, dressed in splendid attire and holding a string of precious beads, bustled about among the crowds. He directed servants as they set up the banquet tables, occasionally glancing toward his bride. Janapadi, shyly veiled in thin gauze, stood by the porch, gently reminding her attendants of their duties. Each time their eyes met, Nanda’s heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, “She is the most beautiful woman in the world, and she will be my wife.”

But at that very moment, a soft sound came from the gate. Everyone turned to look. A figure clad in saffron robes, carrying an alms bowl, stepped forward. It was the Buddha, the elder brother whom Nanda both revered and feared. He walked straight into the hall where the wedding feast was prepared, saying not a word. His eyes were calm, his steps slow yet full of dignity.

Nanda rushed out and bowed deeply in reverence. When he looked up, the Buddha held out his alms bowl. Nanda took it, his hands trembling. The Buddha said nothing; he simply turned and walked outside. Confused, Nanda followed, clutching the bowl. He thought, “Surely he just wants me to hold this for a moment; he will come back to take it soon.” But the Buddha kept walking, step by slow step, without looking back.

At the gate, Nanda turned to look toward his bride. Janapadi had risen, her face pale, unable to understand what was happening. The guests in the hall were equally bewildered. Nanda wanted to say, “Brother, give the bowl back; I still have to complete the wedding ceremony!” But his throat tightened. His awe and respect for his great brother were too profound, preventing him from uttering a single word.

The Buddha continued walking straight ahead, passing through quiet roads, leaving the capital, and heading toward the Bamboo Grove Monastery. Nanda trailed behind, sweat beading on his forehead. He constantly looked back toward the city, where Janapadi was weeping uncontrollably. Yet his feet kept moving, as if pulled by an invisible force.

Upon arriving at the monastery, the Buddha sat down and looked back at Nanda. He asked gently, “Nanda, do you wish to leave home and become a monk?”

Nanda opened his mouth to say “No,” but the words got stuck in his throat. Under the compassionate yet majestic gaze of his brother, he could only manage a single syllable: “Yes.”

The Buddha nodded and turned to the monks, saying, “Prepare the ordination ceremony for Prince Nanda.”

In the blink of an eye, Nanda’s jet-black hair was shaved off. His royal garments were replaced with yellow robes. From a groom about to enter the wedding hall, he became a bhikkhu. News spread quickly throughout the capital. Janapadi fainted. Ministers rushed to King Suddhodana for help, but the king merely smiled and said, “Everything happens due to conditions.”

In the early days as a monk, Nanda suffered immensely. He sat in meditation, but his mind kept conjuring images of Janapadi. Her eyes, her smile, her hair—all haunted him. He could not concentrate, nor find peace. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw only her. He wanted to flee, but dared not because of his reverence for the Buddha. He wanted to stay, but his heart felt torn apart. Days passed like a hell on earth.

One day, the Buddha called Nanda over. He said, “My dear brother, today I will take you to visit a certain place.” Then, using supernatural powers, he lifted Nanda into the air. The two brothers soared above the clouds, flying over forests. As they passed a burning forest, the Buddha pointed downward. “Do you see that monkey?” Nanda looked down and saw an old monkey, its fur scorched, tail cut short, huddled on a branch. It looked pitiful and extremely ugly.

They flew higher, reaching the realm of Indra, the ruler of the heavens. The scene there overwhelmed Nanda. There were golden palaces, gardens filled with fragrant flowers, and especially celestial maidens—they were dazzlingly beautiful, radiant, each unique, with no flaw to be found. They moved gracefully, their smiles shining like moonlight. Nanda stood stunned, his eyes fixed on the celestial maidens.

After the tour, the Buddha brought Nanda back to the monastery. He asked, “Now, how does your Janapadi compare to those celestial maidens?”

Nanda sighed and replied, “World-Honored One, I see Janapadi as no different from that burnt-fur monkey in the forest. The celestial maidens are truly the epitome of beauty.”

The Buddha smiled. “Then, would you like to become the husband of seven of those celestial maidens in the heavenly realm?”

Nanda’s eyes lit up. “Yes, World-Honored One, I want that very much.”

“Then you must practice diligently, keep the precepts, and cultivate meditative concentration. I will speak with King Indra to reserve seven celestial maidens for you.”

From that day on, Nanda practiced with a new motivation: to obtain the seven celestial maidens. He meditated tirelessly, focusing on his breath, practicing exactly as the Buddha taught. Thanks to blessings from merit accumulated in past lives, he quickly attained various levels of meditative concentration. And then, during a deep meditation session, he achieved complete enlightenment, realizing the fruit of Arhatship.

At that moment, all desires and cravings within him vanished. He no longer longed for the seven celestial maidens, nor did he cling to Janapadi. His mind was pure and peaceful, like a house with a tightly sealed roof, leaving no gaps for rain to enter.

Other monks saw Nanda sitting quietly in meditation and assumed he was still dreaming of the seven celestial maidens, so they whispered among themselves. The Buddha then taught them, “Monks, do not think of Nanda as before. In the past, Nanda’s mind was like a poorly thatched roof, allowing the rain of sensual desire to seep in. But now, Nanda’s mind is well cultivated, like a tightly sealed roof, where the rain of sensual desire cannot penetrate. Nanda has become an Arhat, free from all desires.”

The Meaning of the Story

The story of Prince Nanda teaches us that desire is like relentless rain. If our mind is not firmly trained, it will be invaded and washed away. But if we know how to protect and cultivate meditative concentration, no matter how strong desire may be, it cannot shake us. The Buddha used skillful means—even promising seven celestial maidens—to help Nanda overcome temptation and reach enlightenment. This shows that everyone can transform. Even if one starts with low motives, through diligent practice, one can achieve noble results.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang