1. three cardinal virtues (wisdom, benevolence and valour (valor))
2. (having) three uses (e.g. a kitchen knife); (having) three advantages (e.g. a method)
3. three qualities of nirvana (dharmakaya, prajna and moksha); three qualities of parinirvana
4. three virtues of Buddhahood (benevolence, wisdom and renunciation of klesha); three virtues of Buddhistic enlightenment
5. small pouch with separate pockets for a handkerchief, notes and toothpicks (popular during the Edo period)