Jinjamalavika

Even the Buddha Could Not Escape Defamation and Criticisms

In Buddha’s time, once the Buddha attained enlightenment and started to teach people, many scholars became his faithful followers. One of the teachings that made them recognize Buddhism as a religion of wisdom was that animal sacrifice was a sin because it was still a form of killing, particularly when it was made for one’s own benefits. For leaders of other faiths, His teaching was a huge threat that must be eliminated. So they hired a heretical priestess named Jinjamalavika, who had a seductive appearance, to tarnish his reputation.

In the evening, Jinjamalavika would go to the Jettavan Temple, pretending to be going for His Dhamma sermon, then left the temple in the early morning when visitors came to offer foods to the Buddha, acting sleepy and tired.

She had continued the act for a few months before spreading the rumor that she was the Buddha’s concubine. Later, Jinjamalavika hit herself to make her body swell as if she was pregnant and concealed clothes and bamboo weaving pieces around her belly. One day, she walked with her fake pregnant belly into the temple. While the Buddha was preaching, she pointed her finger at Him, scolding that He was the father of her baby.

The Buddha calmly replied, “Only two of us know whether it is true or not.”  

With the power of Buddha’s virtue in uttering only the truth, Jinjamalavika became anxious and afraid of the Prophet but continued accusing Him. Suddenly, a rope that was tied to her clothes to fake the pregnancy loosened. The truth revealed itself. People were stunned and started condemning her. With such a grave sin, the earth split apart and swallowed her up immediately the moment she was outside the temple.

Indeed, Jinjamalavika was truly a person who began her life in the light but left the world in the dark.