Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c26.168

v2.c26.168

11. Nanda.—King of Benares, a former birth of Mahā Kassapa. He belonged to a poor family, but, owing to his merit in having covered Kassapa Buddha’s cetiya with a golden coverlet, he came to be crowned king of Benares. He had a kapparukkha, which provided him and his subjects with divine robes. With the help of his queen—who became Bhaddakapilā in this life—he held a great almsgiving to five hundred Pacceka Buddhas, led by Mahāpaduma, and entertained them up to the time of their death. Nanda was away, quelling a frontier rebellion, at the time of their death. On his return, he gave over his kingdom to his eldest son and became an ascetic.¹ Nanda’s wealth was proverbial.²