妙法蓮華經文句 2.26

2.26

“Sundarananda”: Sundara is translated here as “fondly loved” or “handsome.” Nanda is as explained before. His clan and caste are as stated under Aniruddha. He was born on the ninth day of the fourth month, four finger-breadths shorter than the Buddha, with an imposing bearing and appearance that was extraordinary among worldly men; if he entered an assembly, those who did not recognize him thought the Buddha had come. The *Mahiśāsaka-vinaya* states: “In Magadha there was a naked non-Buddhist ascetic of great intelligence, whom the people of the country called the ‘Wise One’ and the ‘Perceiver.’ He debated with Śāriputra, was rendered speechless, gave rise to a good mind, and wished to go forth into homelessness in the Buddha's Dharma. Seeing Nanda's magnificent appearance, he sighed and said: ‘The wisdom of a short, small monk is already hard to gauge, how much more so for one so imposing!’ Nanda then ordained him into homelessness.” His wife was Sundarī, who was extremely beautiful; in eating and resting they never parted from each other. When the Buddha and Ānanda walked on their almsround and arrived at his gate, he was dining with his wife on an upper story. He immediately arose to welcome the Buddha. His wife said: ‘Only when you return shall we dine together.’ He said to the Buddha: ‘Why should one of the lineage of a wheel-turning king disgrace himself [by begging]?’ He took the Buddha's bowl to fetch food. The Buddha then returned to the Nyagrodha Park and told Ānanda: ‘Have Nanda bring the food.’ Ānanda proclaimed the Buddha's decree, ordering him to deliver the food and present it to the Buddha. The Buddha had his head shaved, but clenching his fist, [Nanda] said to the barber: ‘Do not bring a blade to the crown of the king of Jambudvīpa!’ Pressured by the Buddha, he could not prevent it, and so his head was shaved. The next day, when the Buddha and five hundred monks accepted an invitation, he requested to remain behind to guard the monastery, intending to run away. The Buddha had him close the rooms and sweep the ground; when he closed the south, the north blew open; when he swept here, there was soiled. Fearing the Buddha's return, he fled and went home. Meeting the Buddha on the road, he concealed his body behind a tree, but the tree shot high up into empty space. Seeing him, the Buddha called him to return and asked: ‘Why did you leave?’ He answered: ‘Yesterday I parted from my wife, who is waiting for my return before she dines. Yearning for my wife, I left.’ The Buddha then took him to roam the heavens and hells (and so forth).” Thus he was designated by his wife's name.