一頓教，二漸教，三不定教，是於化儀四教中除秘密教一者，此稱為大綱之三教。此三教惟攝法華已前之諸經。法華玄義十曰：「大綱三種：一頓二漸三不定，此三名同，舊義異也。」 一漸教，二頓教，三圓教。圓教即法華經。此三教攝一代。日本智證之唐決曰：「經云唯此一事實，餘二則非真。疏七餘二者指頓漸。又淨名經廣疏云：圓頓漸三教也。」 一、三藏教，二、通教，三、別教。是於化法四教中除圓教之一者，謂之權門之三教。法華經科註一下曰：「執所入之一理，疑三教之能門。」
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.
一天台三教 指天台判教中之三教。(一)大綱三教。乃天台宗化儀四教中，祕密教以外之頓教、漸教、不定教。此三教收攝法華經應世前之諸經。〔法華玄義卷十〕 (二)權門三教。乃化法四教中，除圓教以外之藏教、通教、別教。〔法華經科註卷一下〕 (三)指總攝釋尊一代教法之漸、頓、圓三教。圓教即指法華經。p1736
天台三教總目錄 天台判教中之三教。又稱大綱三教。乃化儀四教中，祕密教以外之頓教、漸教、不定教。此三教收攝『法華經』應世前諸經。〔法華玄義十〕權門三教。乃化法四教中，除圓教以外之藏教、通教、别教。指總攝釋尊一代教法之漸、頓、圓三教。圓教指『法華經』。 〔法華經科註卷一下〕
１．頓教、漸教、不定教。２．漸教、頓教、圓教。３．三藏教、通教、別教。