three rules of preaching ［三軌・弘経の三軌］ ( san-ki or gukyō-no-sanki): Also, three rules of the robe, seat, and room. The three rules of preaching represented by the robe, seat, and room of the Thus Come One, or the Buddha. Three essentials for propagating the Lotus Sutra after Shakyamuni Buddha’s death mentioned in the “Teacher of the Law” (tenth) chapter of the sutra. That chapter says that one who desires to teach the Lotus Sutra after the Buddha’s death should “enter the Thus Come One’s room, put on the Thus Come One’s robe, and sit in the Thus Come One’s seat.” It then explains that the room of the Thus Come One means great compassion for all living beings, the robe of the Thus Come One means a gentle and forbearing heart, and the seat of the Thus Come One means the realization that all phenomena are without substance or empty. In effect, this means that in propagating the Lotus Sutra one should have a mind of great compassion, abide in the truth of the non-substantiality of all phenomena, and bear all hardships with patience.