provisional sutras ［権経］ ( gon-kyō): The sutras of the provisional teachings that Shakyamuni Buddha expounded as expedient means to prepare people for the true teaching. This contrasts with the true sutra, or the sutra of the true teaching. According to T’ien-t’ai’s doctrine, all sutras expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra are provisional sutras. See also pre-Lotus Sutra teachings; provisional teachings.