Can you help out these two Buddhist monks with a riddle?
By urbandekay
@urbandekay (18278)
May 5, 2010 5:13pm CST
I walking in the woods near my home and approaching me are two Buddhist monks. I hail them and Ask them if they would like to exchange riddles? They start;
A young monk asks his teacher for instruction on obtaining enlightenment, the teacher replies; first catch me a hare. Well the young monk sits under a tree and meditates on this when all of a sudden a hare runs out and collides with a tree. The monk takes it to his teacher and asks again for instruction on obtaining enlightenment. The teacher replies, ok, but first catch me one more hare, so the monk goes and sits under a tree, for the rest of his life.
I was able to answer this easily but refrained from pointing out the irony that whilst we all wore sandals my dress was simple and practical whilst theirs was fanciful and ornate.
Then I presented them with my riddle, which they suggested they must think about and meet next week. Can you help them out?
In a field grows a single tree
two men enter the field
one man looks and the other man sees
the man that looks sees a tree
the man that sees looks at the tree
all the best urban
3 responses
@RAMPersona (2033)
• Philippines
8 Aug 10
hmm...my thought...
In a field grows a single tree
two men (passers-by not going along i guess) enter the field
one man looks (he's looking for something or someone..) and the other man sees (he's seeing that there is something or someone to his proximity..)
the man that looks sees a tree (he could only see the tree)
the man that sees looks at the tree (his attention is on the tree)
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
7 May 10
Hi urbandekay! I wish I could help but I am having a difficult time understanding both riddles. I do not understand what is the purpose or the meaning of these riddles. So if you would like to give me some further clarifications, they would be appreciated. Take care! 
@urbandekay (18278)
•
7 May 10
The first riddle, the one the Buddhists asked me is, if you like, a salutary warning not to let the way to enlightenment become an obstacle, which is why I found it ironic that their attire is fanciful and ornate!
all the best urban
@shamsta19 (3224)
• United States
6 May 10
Um ouch.. My brain hurts now Urban...
Why? Why are yo doing this to us? I have no clue what this means at all less we are supposed to come up with our own interpretations of the riddle suggested. I thinks both men entered the field and while one sees one looks. While they both see a tree one (the one who sees) has a different perception and can see the tree for its wondrous natural glory, and the other merely sees a "tree."
My other answer is 3. LOL
