AUG21.2

~Bhante Gunaratana
The Buddha's rivals had bribed a prostitute named Cinca to insult and humiliate the Buddha. Cinca tied a bunch of sticks to her belly underneath her rough clothes in order to look like she was pregnant. While the Buddha 

was delivering a sermon to hundreds of people, she came right out infront of him and said," You rogue. You pretend to be a saint preaching to all these people. But look what you have done to me! I am pregnant because of you." Calmly, the Buddha spoke to her, without anger, without hatred. With the voice full of loving friendliness and compassion, he said to her," Sister, you and I are the only ones who know what has happened." Cinca was taken aback by the Buddha's response. She was shocked that on the way back she stumbled. The strings that were holding the bundles of sticks to her belly came loose. All the sticks fell to the ground, and everyone realised her ruse. Several people in the audience wanted to beat her, but the Buddha stopped them. " No, no. That is the way you should treat her. We should help her understand the Dharma. That is much more effective punishment." After the Buddha taught her the Dharma,
her entire personality changed. She too became gentle, kind, and compassionate.