It was seven years after his Enlightenment that the Buddha, at the request of his father, who missed him dearly, returned to his home city of Kapilavatthu.

On the third day of his return, the Buddha, after partaking of his meal, silently handed his bowl to Nanda, rose, and exited.

This was the Buddha's silent demonstration of the Dhamma to his younger brother, a scene which is often represented in Greco-Buddhist art.

However, when the other monks learned of Nanda's wish they ridiculed him and he eventually saw his motive as a base, and renouncing desire, attained Arhatship.

[3] Abeysekera writes: "On realizing the exquisite happiness of Nibbana, Nanda approached the Buddha and thanked Him respectfully by saying, "Lord I release you from your promise of celestial bliss."