five stages of practice ［五品］ ( go-hon): Five progressive stages of practice to be followed after Shakyamuni’s death described by T’ien-t’ai (538–597) in The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra. T’ien-t’ai formulated them based on the content of the “Distinctions in Benefits” (seventeenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. They are (1) to rejoice on hearing the Lotus Sutra, (2) to read and recite the sutra, (3) to expound the sutra to others, (4) to embrace the sutra and practice the six pāramitās, and (5) to perfect one’s practice of the six pāramitās. For example, the first stage derives from the passage in the “Distinctions in Benefits” chapter that reads, “If after the Thus Come One has entered extinction there are those who hear this sutra and do not slander or speak ill of it but feel joy in their hearts, they should know that this is a sign that they have already shown deep faith and understanding.”