Jataka Tales 39: Nanda

Nanda Jataka While residing at Jetavana the Buddha told this story about Sariputta's pupil who was his co-resident. As the story goes this pupil was gentle and tractable and he was ardent in serving Sariputta.

On a certain occasion Sariputta with the Buddha's permission went on an alms-pilgrimage and he eventually came to South Magadha. His pupil who accompanied him was overcome by pride and would not do what he told him. Whenever the pupil was addressed: "Sir, do this," he would start a quarrel and Sariputta could not make out what had possessed him.

After his pilgrimage round Sariputta returned to Jetavana with his pupil. The moment they got back to the monastery that pupil became his usual placid self. Sariputta reported this matter to the Buddha.

Nanda Jataka 1/5

He said: "This pupil of mine in one place is like a slave bought for a hundred pieces, and in another he was so proud that an order given to him makes him start a quarrel."

The Buddha said: "This is not the first time Sariputta that he had behaved in this way; in the past, too, in one place he was like a slave bought for hundred pieces and in another he would be quarrelsome and contentious." At the request of Sariputta the Buddha told this story of the past.

Story of the past Once in the time when Brahmadatta was king in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born as a squire. A friend of his, another much older squire had a young wife who had delivered to him a son and heir.

Nanda Jataka 2/5

The old man thought to himself: "I'm afraid that as soon as I am dead, she being young will marry someone, then spend all my money, instead of my son inheriting it. I think it is best that I bury my money safely in the ground."

With a young slave named Nanda to help him he went to a secret spot to bury his son's inheritance. He said to the slave: "My good Nanda, show this treasure spot to my son after I'm gone; don't let the wood be sold."

Not long afterwards he died. When the son grew up his mother told him that his father had buried his money, accompanied by Nanda. So one day he said: "Nanda, where is the treasure that my father buried?" "In the forest, my lord." "All right, let's go look for it." With basket and spade they went to the spot. "Well, Nanda where's the money?"

Nanda Jataka 3/5

Although he was standing right over the spot he was so puffed up at the thought of having to dig the money for his master that he abused him, and said: "You servant of the son of a slave girl!

Where would you have any money here?"

His master pretending not to have heard his impertinence just said: "let's go back then." Two days later he went back to the spot with Nanda, and again the slave behaved as before. Without saying anything he thought over the matter: "At the beginning the slave was willing to show where the money was; but as soon as we got there he behaved impudently; I shall ask my father's old friend, the squire, about this." So he went to the Bodhisatta and told him everything.

The Bodhisatta advised him with these words: "Where Nanda abused you is the place where father had his money buried. So, as soon as he starts to abuse you say to him, 'Who do you think you are talking to?' Bring him down from his perch.

Nanda Jataka 4/5

Take the spade in your own hands, dig there, and make the slave carry it home for you." Then he spoke thus:" An inferior person gets elated in the presence of wealth."

Taking courteous leave of the Bodhisatta the young master returned home. Then taking Nanda with him to the spot where he was abused he did what the Bodhisatta advised. He dug up the money, took it home and used it to look after his family property. He remembered the Bodhisatta's other words of advice and remained steadfast in his counsels.

End of story of the past The Buddha said to Sariputta: "This man was, in the past, of this nature. He showed the connection and identified the Birth. He said: "Sariputta's pupil and co-resident was the Nanda of those days; and I was the wise and good squire."

Nanda Jataka 5/5