You mean this part?
"Then take joy, Nanda. Take joy!
I am your guarantee for getting
500 dove-footed nymphs."

I don't see a lie there. I see it as a trick though. He probably knew
what would eventually happen.

kb

Frank K wrote thus at 12:41 AM 10-02-13:

>the story in the Udana of
>the Buddha using the incentive of guaranteeing his cousin Nanda celestial
>nymphs as a way to encourage him to not disrobe. Especially with so many
>passages in the canon explicitly detailing right speech and the danger of
>the smallest lie, I find it extremely offensive that a Buddha would need or
>even entertain the use of a white lie as a way to help his disciples
>advance in their practice.