南中三教

The three modes of Śākyamuni's teaching as expounded by the teachers south of the Yangtze after the Ch'i dynasty A.D. 479-501.

(1) The 漸教 gradual method, leading the disciples step by step to nirvana.

(2) The 頓教 immediate method, by which he instructed the Bodhisattvas, revealing the whole truth.

(3) The 不定教 undetermined method, by which the teaching is adapted to each individual or group.