三时教

(三時教, 三时教)

([lang id =1028]三時教判) The three periods and characteristics of Buddha's teaching, as defined by the Dharmalakṣana school [lang id =1028]法相宗. They are:

(1) [lang id =1028]有, when he taught the [lang id =1028]實有 reality of the skandhas and elements, but denied the common belief in [lang id =1028]實我 real personality or a permanent soul; this period is represented by the four [lang id =1028]阿含經 āgamas and other Hīnayāna sūtras.

(2) [lang id =1028]空 Śūnya, when he negatived the idea of [lang id =1028]實法 the reality of things and advocated that all was [lang id =1028]空 unreal; the period of the [lang id =1028]般若經 prajñā sūtras.

(3) [lang id =1028]中 Madhyama, the mean, that mind or spirit is real, while things are unreal; the period of this school's specific sūtra the [lang id =1028]解深密經, also the [lang id =1028]法華 and later sūtras. In the two earlier periods he is said to have [lang id =1028]方便 adapted his teaching to the development of his hearers; in the third to have delivered his complete and perfect doctrine. Another division by the [lang id =1028]空宗 is

(1) as above;

(2) the early period of the Mahāyāna represented, by the [lang id =1028]深密經;

(3) the higher Mahāyāna as in the [lang id =1028]般若經. v. also [lang id =1028]三敎.