Three Buddhas

Visit Malaysia: Kek Lok Si, Penang.

Three Buddhas sitting quietly.

三人のブッダが静かに座っています。

sannin no budda ga shizuka ni suwatteimasu.

How to Say in Japanese: (Number of) people

The title reminds me of a story. Have you heard of the story of 3 monks?

One day, the master asked one 一人の hitori no monk to go to fetch some water. He came back with two buckets of water with one bucket on each hand.

 The next day, the master asked two 二人の futari no monks to go to fetch some water. They came back with one bucket of water. Both carried one bucket with one hand each on the bucket.

The following day, the master asked three 三人の sannin no monks to go to fetch some water. They came back with no water.

The master asked why they did not carry any water back.

The first monk said,"He should carry it back," pointing to the second monk.

The second monk said,"He should carry it back," pointing to the third monk.

The third monk said,"He should carry it back," pointing to the first monk.