pre-Lotus Sutra teachings ［爾前教］ ( nizen-kyō): The teachings that Shakyamuni Buddha expounded during the first forty-two years of his preaching life, from the time following his enlightenment up until he began to expound the Lotus Sutra. According to T’ien-t’ai’s classification of the Buddha’s teachings into five periods, the teachings of the first four periods—the Flower Garland, Āgama, Correct and Equal, and Wisdom periods—constitute the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings, all of which he identified as provisional teachings, or expedient means to lead people to the Lotus Sutra. See also five periods.