three benefits ［三益］ ( san-yaku): The benefits of sowing, maturing, and harvesting. Sowing, maturing, and harvesting are the three phases of the process by which a Buddha leads people to Buddhahood. These three actions correspond to the growth and development of a plant. First the Buddha plants the seed of Buddhahood in people’s lives, then he nurtures it by helping them practice the teaching, and finally he enables them to reap the fruit of Buddhahood.