five categories of Buddhas ［五仏］ ( go-butsu): The five kinds of Buddhas indicated in the “Expedient Means” (second) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. They are all Buddhas, past Buddhas, present Buddhas, future Buddhas, and Shakyamuni Buddha. According to this chapter, all these Buddhas preach in a uniform manner. That is, the Buddhas all employ a similar process by which to lead people to the one Buddha vehicle. With the purpose of enabling people to attain Buddhahood, they first expound various vehicles or teachings as expedient means to develop people’s capacity, after which they reveal the one Buddha vehicle, the direct path to Buddhahood.