Five Riddles Inspired from Buddhism
Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago, is a spiritual tradition centered on overcoming suffering. After renouncing his privileged life as a prince, Gautama sought enlightenment through meditation and self-discipline. In his quest, he realized that suffering is not an inescapable fate but a condition shaped by causes — and one that can be transcended through insight into its origins and patterns. This revelation shaped his teachings, emphasizing that suffering is an inherent part of life, driven by desire and ignorance.
At the heart of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths: suffering exists, it has a cause (craving and attachment), it can end, and the way to end it is through the Noble Eightfold Path. This path outlines eight principles: right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration, offering guidance for ethical living, mental clarity, and wisdom.
Central to Buddhism is karma, the understanding that every action, whether positive or negative, creates an effect that shapes our present and future experiences. Karma is not a matter of fate but the result of intentional actions and their repeated patterns, reinforcing the cycle of cause and effect in our lives. Closely tied to this is the belief in rebirth, where beings cycle through six realms — three favorable (gods, demigods, and humans) and three unfavorable (animals, ghosts, and hell beings). The human realm is considered the most precious, offering the best chance to transcend suffering.
Buddhism offers a path of self-discovery grounded in wisdom, ethical conduct, and mindfulness. It leads to the ultimate goal — Nirvana, liberation from suffering, and the cycle of rebirth.
Here are five riddles inspired from Buddhism. More than puzzles to solve, they’re ideas to play with. Just let them sit with you and see what comes up.
The answers are below the riddles. Ready to take a crack at it?
Riddle 1
I show you what you want to see,
But never what you need to be.
I mimic and I hide,
I keep your truth somewhere behind.
Who am I?
Riddle 2
I’m not an object, yet I can be held.
I’m not a timer, yet I can be paused.
I’m not a meal, yet I can be taken,
I help you sleep or leave you awakened.
Who am I?
Riddle 3
I touch them all,
But stay in none.
I’m forever here,
Yet forever gone.
Who am I?
Riddle 4
Round and round
You come and go.
I am the door
To stop the flow.
What am I?
Riddle 5
I exist
Without existing on my own,
Yet I give rise
to all things.
Who am I?
ANSWERS
Riddle 1
EGO
Buddhism questions the idea of a fixed, independent self, viewing it as an illusion that leads to attachment, conflict, and suffering. In this sense, the ego is a mental construct that clouds our understanding of a deeper reality.
Buddhism, in particular, teaches anatman (no-self), the idea that clinging to the ego keeps us trapped in suffering, and liberation arises from seeing through the ego’s illusion. True freedom reveals itself when we move beyond the notion of a separate self and recognize the fundamental connection between all things.
Riddle 2
BREATHE
In Buddhism, breathe plays a central role in practices like Anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing). It serves as a focal point for attention and a link between body and mind, grounding awareness in the present and cultivating inner peace.
Riddle 3
IMPERMANENCE
Impermanence (Annica) is the cornerstone of Buddhist teachings and the first step toward enlightenment. It reveals that nothing, including ourselves, is fixed or permanent. Our attachment to the illusion of a constant self fuels our suffering. This principle, known as anicca (Pāli) is one of the three marks of existence, alongside suffering (dukkha) and the absence of a permanent self (anatta).
Impermanence emphasizes the fluid, ever-changing nature of reality — everything, from our bodies to our thoughts, arises from causes and is subject to transformation, decay, and eventual dissolution. Embracing this truth allows for a more adaptable, wise approach to life, easing attachment and the suffering it brings.
Riddle 4
LIBERATION FROM SAMSARA
In Buddhist philosophy, Samsara refers to the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by desire and attachment. Liberation from Samsara can be thought of as a door that marks the end of this cycle — a shift away from the constant flow of suffering. It’s the freedom from the repetition of existence, where the grip of desire and attachment no longer controls us. This liberation is a deep transformation of consciousness, bringing release from the endless cycle and the peace that follows.
Riddle 5
DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
In Buddhist philosophy, suffering isn’t a random occurrence — it’s woven into the very structure of existence. This understanding is rooted in the concept of Dependent Origination (Paticca Samuppada), which suggests that all things arise in connection to something else. Nothing exists in isolation; everything is part of a complex network of interconnected causes and conditions.
What exists without inherent independence yet sets everything into motion is the chain of causes and conditions that shape existence. This interdependence explains the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, showing how suffering is continuously generated. Each step in this cycle leads to the next, fueling desire, attachment, and ultimately, more suffering.
Buddhism teaches that by understanding the role our actions and desires play in creating suffering, we can transform our relationship with life, reduce suffering, and cultivate peace.
I hope you enjoyed cracking these riddles. You know the path has no finish line — and that’s what makes it beautiful!
(from the book Mind-Bending Riddles Inspired by Philosophy, by Monica Laura Rapeanu & MONLart Publishing)
