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 [lang id =1028]頓教;

(2) the gradual teaching [lang id =1028]漸教;

(3) the undetermined or variable method-whereby he is taught what he is capable of receiving [lang id =1028]不定. Another category is [lang id =1028]漸 gradual, [lang id =1028]頓 direct, and [lang id =1028]圓 perfect, the last being found in the final or complete doctrine of the [lang id =1028]法華經 <Lotus Sutra>. Another is:

(1) [lang id =1028]三藏教 the Tripiṭaka doctrine, i. e. the orthodox Hīnayāna;

(2) [lang id =1028]通教 intermediate, or interrelated doctrine, i. e. Hīnayāna-cum-Mahāyāna;

(3) [lang id =1028]別教 differentiated or separated doctrine, i. e. the early Mahāyāna as a cult or development, as distinct from Hīnayāna.

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１．頓教、 漸教、 不定教。 ２．漸教、 頓教、 圓教。 ３．三藏教、 通教、 別教。