Why we recite the Ten Factors three times. Nichiren wins the five Sutra books.

In our own school, we follow the interpretation set forth in the commentaries of T’ien-t’ai, which gives three readings to each of the ten factors. Reading them three times will produce great benefit.

The first reading, zesōnyo, “this appearance is thus,” indicates that each of the ten factors, such as appearance, nature, entity, and power, “is thus.” Here the word nyo, or thus, represents the principle of non-substantiality. And for this reason we know that all Ten Worlds are characterized by the truth of non-substantiality. When we contemplate this reading, we come to realize that we ourselves are none other than Thus Come Ones of the reward body, the eighty-four thousand teachings, and wisdom.

The second reading, nyozesō, “thus appearance,” or appearance like this, indicates the appearance manifested by the form and shape of one’s own body. All such appearances are temporary, and this means that, since the same applies to all the ten factors from appearance, nature, entity, power, and so forth, all Ten Worlds are characterized by the truth of temporary existence. When we contemplate this reading, we come to realize that we ourselves are none other than Thus Come Ones of themanifested body. This is also known as emancipation.

The third reading, sōnyoze, “appearance is thus,” refers to theMiddle Way, the Buddha of the Dharma body. When we contemplate this reading, we come to realize that we ourselves are none other than Thus Come Ones of the Dharma body. This is also known as the Middle Way; as the essential nature of phenomena; as nirvana; and as tranquil extinction.

These three readings represent the three bodies, the Dharma body, the reward body, and the manifested body; the three truths of non-substantiality, temporary existence, and the Middle Way; and the three virtues of the Dharma body, wisdom, and emancipation.

These three bodies of the Thus Come One are in no way something that is extraneous to us. Rather we should understand that we ourselves are none other than ultimate entities endowed with the three virtues, Buddhas of original enlightenment, who possess the three bodies within a single one. When we understand this, we may be called Thus Come Ones, sages, enlightened ones. While we do not understand this, we are called ordinary mortals, ordinary living beings, or people in a state of delusion.