天台三教

The three modes of Śākyamuni's teaching as explained by the Tiantai sect:

(1) the sudden, or immediate teaching, by which the learner is taught the whole truth at once 頓教;

(2) the gradual teaching 漸教;

(3) the undetermined or variable method-whereby he is taught what he is capable of receiving 不定. Another category is 漸 gradual, 頓 direct, and 圓 perfect, the last being found in the final or complete doctrine of the 法華經 <Lotus Sutra>. Another is:

(1) 三藏教 the Tripiṭaka doctrine, i. e. the orthodox Hīnayāna;

(2) 通教 intermediate, or interrelated doctrine, i. e. Hīnayāna-cum-Mahāyāna;

(3) 別教 differentiated or separated doctrine, i. e. the early Mahāyāna as a cult or development, as distinct from Hīnayāna.