When it came to the theory of three Buddha-bodies, Zhiyi gave primary importance to the reward body. Commenting on chapter 16, he claims that “the main theme throughout this chapter is the revelation of the three bodies. But if we take it differently, it is really concerned with the reward body. The real intention is to discuss the merits of the reward body. ” The reward body is a figure of merit attained, in which eternal life is active in the actual world. To truly understand the reward body is to feel the throbbing life of the eternal Buddha in the midst of concrete, actual reality woven from joy and sadness, suffering and pleasure, good and evil.