The Ten Suchnesses: The Nature of Reality in the Lotus Sutra

(十如是, shí rú shì)

Table of Contents

Overview

The Ten Suchnesses (十如是, shí rú shì) appear in Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra, Expedient Means, where the Buddha describes the universal characteristics of all phenomena. Each “suchness” reveals an aspect of reality, showing that every dharma, from the smallest thought to the vast cosmos, possesses the same complete nature.

For Tiantai Buddhism, these ten “as-they-really-are” conditions express the total interpenetration of existence: each thing embodies the truth of all things. Zhiyi (智顗) used the Ten Suchnesses to illuminate how every moment of mind contains the whole of reality, harmonising doctrine, meditation, and daily experience.

The Passage from the Lotus Sutra

“Only a Buddha together with a Buddha can fathom the reality of all dharmas—
that is, their appearance, nature, entity, power, function, cause, condition, effect, retribution, and the ultimate consistency from beginning to end.”
— Lotus Sutra, Ch. 2: Expedient Means

This brief statement became a cornerstone of Mahāyāna metaphysics: reality is infinitely complex yet perfectly integrated.

The Ten Suchnesses Explained

#	Term	Meaning	Mahāyāna Interpretation
1	Appearance (相)	The outward form or observable quality of a thing	How reality manifests in perception: sight, sound, event
2	Nature (性)	The inner disposition or inherent character	The unchanging aspect beneath surface form
3	Entity (體)	The essence combining appearance and nature	The true substance of phenomena, both empty and real
4	Power (力)	The potential or capacity within a thing	The latent ability for action or transformation
5	Function (作)	The actual manifestation of that power	The dynamic activity of cause and effect
6	Primary Cause (因)	The internal seed or motivating factor	The intention, thought, or karmic impulse
7	Condition (縁)	External factors assisting development	Environment, relations, supportive circumstances
8	Effect (果)	The immediate result of causes and conditions	The visible outcome of activity
9	Reward or Retribution (報)	The continuing influence or maturation of effect	Long-term karmic consequence shaping future experience
10	Ultimate Consistency from Beginning to End (本末究竟等)	The coherence of all stages as one reality	No separation between origin and result: emptiness and form interpenetrate

Together they describe the full cycle of existence, from inner nature to outward expression, from cause to effect, and the unbroken continuity that binds them.

Zhiyi’s Tiantai Interpretation

Zhiyi regarded the Ten Suchnesses as the microcosmic structure of enlightenment. Each dharma embodies all ten, and all ten mutually include one another.

“Within one suchness are all suchnesses; within one dharma are all dharmas.”
— Mohe Zhiguan

He applied this to the doctrine of the Ten Realms (from Hell to Buddhahood), teaching that each realm contains all others. Thus, in a single thought of an ordinary being lie the ten suchnesses of the Buddha, and vice versa.

This insight underpins the Tiantai principle of “three thousand realms in a single thought-moment” (一念三千)—a comprehensive vision of reality as interdependent and complete.

Contemplative Meaning

To contemplate the Ten Suchnesses is to see reality in its totality. Every event or thought can be examined through these ten lenses:

What is its appearance?
What nature drives it?
What essence sustains it?
What potential does it hold?
How does it function?
What causes does it have?
What conditions support it?
What effects does it create now and later?
What reward or retribution will its future hold?
How are all stages consistent as one unfolding truth?

Such contemplation unites philosophy and mindfulness: the world as it is becomes the field of awakening.

Picture a lotus flower:

The outer petals represent Appearance → Nature → Entity → Potential → Function
The inner petals represent Cause → Condition → Effect → Reward/Retribution
The base represents Ultimate Consistency, symbolising unity.

This expresses how each dharma radiates outward yet remains perfectly one at the core.

Key Takeaways

The Ten Suchnesses describe the full reality of every phenomenon, from its form to its fruition.
They reveal that emptiness and appearance are not two; each is complete and interdependent.
Zhiyi interpreted them as the structure of enlightenment itself, forming the basis of “three thousand realms in one thought.”
Contemplating them transforms ordinary perception into wisdom.

FAQ

What are the Ten Suchnesses in the Lotus Sutra?

The Ten Suchnesses are ten aspects that describe the true nature of all phenomena: appearance, nature, entity, power, function, cause, condition, effect, reward or retribution, and ultimate consistency. They express the completeness and interdependence of reality.

What is the meaning of ‘ultimate consistency from beginning to end’?

It means that all stages of existence—cause, effect, and retribution—are consistent and interrelated. There is no separation between beginning and end; each moment fully embodies the whole of reality.

How are the Ten Suchnesses used in Tiantai Buddhism?

Tiantai master Zhiyi interpreted them as the framework of enlightenment itself. Every phenomenon contains all ten suchnesses, revealing the mutual interpenetration of all realms and forming the basis of the doctrine of ‘three thousand realms in a single thought.’

How can one contemplate the Ten Suchnesses in practice?

Practitioners reflect on any event or thought through these ten aspects—appearance, nature, cause, effect, and so on—to see its full interdependence. This contemplation transforms ordinary perception into insight into the true nature of things.