The devil said to Buddha:
- It isn’t easy to be the devil. When I speak I have to use enigmas so that people do not realize the temptation. I always need to appear smart and intelligent so that people admire me. I spend lots of energy convincing a few disciples that hell is more interesting. I’m old and I would like to pass my pupils on to you.
Buddha knew that this was a trap: if he accepted the proposal, he would turn into a devil and the devil would become Buddha.
- You think it’s fun to be Buddha - he answered. - Besides having to do the same things as you do, I also have to stand what my pupils do to me! They put words in my mouth that I did not say and they demand that I be wise the whole time! You could never stand a life like that!
The devil was convinced that changing roles was not really a good deal, and Buddha escaped from the temptation.
by Paulo Coelho
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