Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c30.16

v2.c30.16

remarks that Nanda was at first a minister of the previous king and that he belonged to a low family but was the leading man of the community. By unexpected acquisition of wealth he became the king of the country. He entertained the bhikṣus in Kāśī for many years.¹ King Nanda was surrounded by Brāhmaṇa ministers, on whom also he bestowed wealth. At the instance of his spiritual teacher (kalyāṇamitra) he offered several gifts to the caityas built on Buddha’s relics.² King Nanda ruled for 20 years and died as a true Buddhist at the age of sixty-six.³