Buddhist Paths of Practice
Explore the four Tiantai teachings through the six identities. Click any image to enlarge.
1. Overview of the six identities
The six identities move from principle and understanding through practice to perfect awakening, distinguishing the depth of realization.
English reading guide to the Chinese artwork
Read the six levels from bottom to top: principle, name, practice, resemblance, partial realization and ultimate realization. The comparisons below the tower are approximate, rather than exact equivalents across the four teachings.
Begin with the six identities. Cross-teaching matches in the artwork are approximate; use the comparison above for the distinctions.
- 理即佛 · Identity in principle
- Inherent principle, before understanding
In the Perfect teaching, all beings possess the inconceivable principle. “Identity” expresses nonduality; “six” distinguishes depth of practice. Inherent Buddha nature is not completed realization.
- 名字即佛 · Identity in name
- Understanding through the teaching
One hears and understands the teaching of the middle. Knowing terminology alone does not establish direct realization.
- 观行即佛 · Identity in practice
- Five grades · outer ordinary stage
The five grades are rejoicing, reading and reciting, explaining, additionally practicing the six perfections, and making them the principal practice. Afflictions are subdued; other teachings provide approximate comparisons.
- 相似即佛 · Identity in resemblance
- Ten faiths · inner ordinary stage
The ten faiths purify the six faculties. They progressively remove errors of view, thought and knowledge, while subduing ignorance. Partial realization of the Dharma body has yet to begin.
- 分证即佛 · Identity in partial realization
- First abode through equal awakening · 41 stages
At the first abode, a portion of ignorance is removed and the Dharma body is partially realized. The ten abodes, practices, dedications and grounds, plus equal awakening, form 41 stages. Distinct teaching realization begins at the first ground; identical stage names are not equivalent.
- 究竟即佛 · Identity in ultimate realization
- Perfect teaching: wondrous awakening
Wondrous awakening in the Perfect teaching is ultimate realization. A shared destination illustrates convergence into the Perfect Buddha vehicle. Within the separate doctrinal systems, Distinct wondrous awakening corresponds only to a partial realization stage in the Perfect teaching.
2. Principle · name · practice
Principle is inherent Buddha nature; name is understanding the teaching; practice puts that understanding into action.
English reading guide to the Chinese artwork
Read left to right: inherent Buddha nature, understanding through hearing the teaching, and putting that understanding into practice. The five grades belong to the Perfect teaching; Distinct ten faiths provide a comparison of depth, rather than an identical practice.
The first three identities move from principle through understanding into practice. Perfect five grades can be compared with Distinct ten faiths, while their doctrines and contemplations differ.
- 理即佛 · Identity in principle
- Inherent principle, before understanding
In the Perfect teaching, all beings possess the inconceivable principle. “Identity” expresses nonduality; “six” distinguishes depth of practice. Inherent Buddha nature is not completed realization.
- 名字即佛 · Identity in name
- Understanding through the teaching
One hears and understands the teaching of the middle. Knowing terminology alone does not establish direct realization.
- 观行即佛 · Identity in practice
- Five grades · outer ordinary stage
The five grades are rejoicing, reading and reciting, explaining, additionally practicing the six perfections, and making them the principal practice. Afflictions are subdued; other teachings provide approximate comparisons.
3. Identity in resemblance
Deepening practice resembles true realization. Comparisons among the four teachings are approximate, not identical stages.
English reading guide to the Chinese artwork
The three lower panels refer to Perfect ten faiths, the Distinct three groups of worthy stages (ten abodes, ten practices and ten dedications), and the artwork’s shorthand “lesser vehicle” label. These are comparisons of depth. Both Tripiṭaka and Shared teachings also include bodhisattvas.
Compare Perfect ten faiths and Distinct preparatory stages by afflictions removed. The artwork’s “lesser vehicle” label is shorthand: both Tripiṭaka and Shared teachings include bodhisattvas.
- 相似即佛 · Identity in resemblance
- Ten faiths · inner ordinary stage
The ten faiths purify the six faculties. They progressively remove errors of view, thought and knowledge, while subduing ignorance. Partial realization of the Dharma body has yet to begin.
4. Identity in partial realization
Partial realization begins when ignorance is broken: at the first Perfect abode or the first Distinct ground, before ultimate completion.
English reading guide to the Chinese artwork
The left panel begins with the first Distinct ground; the right begins with the first Perfect abode. On the right, read the sequence: first abode → ten abodes → ten practices → ten dedications → ten grounds → equal awakening. Identically named stages in the two teachings cannot all be aligned directly.
Partial realization begins at the first Perfect abode and first Distinct ground. The same names for subsequent groups do not make all stages equivalent.
- 分证即佛 · Identity in partial realization
- First abode through equal awakening · 41 stages
At the first abode, a portion of ignorance is removed and the Dharma body is partially realized. The ten abodes, practices, dedications and grounds, plus equal awakening, form 41 stages. Distinct teaching realization begins at the first ground; identical stage names are not equivalent.
5. Identity in ultimate realization
Wondrous awakening is ultimate Buddhahood. The two paths illustrate convergence into the Buddha vehicle; identically named stages still differ.
English reading guide to the Chinese artwork
The two stairways depict sequential practice in the Distinct teaching and integrated practice in the Perfect teaching. Their shared destination represents convergence into the Buddha vehicle. In doctrinal comparison, Distinct wondrous awakening corresponds to the second Perfect practice, within partial realization; it is not directly identical to Perfect ultimate realization.
The common destination illustrates convergence. In the doctrinal comparison of the Outline, Distinct wondrous awakening corresponds to the second Perfect practice, within partial realization. Ultimate unity is expressed through convergence into the Perfect teaching.
- 分证即佛 · Identity in partial realization
- First abode through equal awakening · 41 stages
At the first abode, a portion of ignorance is removed and the Dharma body is partially realized. The ten abodes, practices, dedications and grounds, plus equal awakening, form 41 stages. Distinct teaching realization begins at the first ground; identical stage names are not equivalent.
- 究竟即佛 · Identity in ultimate realization
- Perfect teaching: wondrous awakening
Wondrous awakening in the Perfect teaching is ultimate realization. A shared destination illustrates convergence into the Perfect Buddha vehicle. Within the separate doctrinal systems, Distinct wondrous awakening corresponds only to a partial realization stage in the Perfect teaching.
6. Traditional comprehensive reference
A reference chart of the four teachings and six identities. Its comparisons do not imply complete equivalence between stages.
English reading guide to the Chinese artwork
Read columns as the six identities and rows as Perfect, Distinct, Shared and Tripiṭaka teachings. The source artwork contains simplified comparisons and an editorial note about Excel; it is a study illustration. Use the textual table below to distinguish each teaching’s own stages. The journey symbols at the bottom refer to the conjured city and treasure destination in the Lotus Sutra; they are illustrations, not a scale of equivalent attainment.
The supplied comprehensive chart is preserved for study. It contains design notes and simplified comparisons. Read it alongside both textual views above rather than as a precise doctrinal equivalence table.
- 理即佛 · Identity in principle
- Inherent principle, before understanding
In the Perfect teaching, all beings possess the inconceivable principle. “Identity” expresses nonduality; “six” distinguishes depth of practice. Inherent Buddha nature is not completed realization.
- 名字即佛 · Identity in name
- Understanding through the teaching
One hears and understands the teaching of the middle. Knowing terminology alone does not establish direct realization.
- 观行即佛 · Identity in practice
- Five grades · outer ordinary stage
The five grades are rejoicing, reading and reciting, explaining, additionally practicing the six perfections, and making them the principal practice. Afflictions are subdued; other teachings provide approximate comparisons.
- 相似即佛 · Identity in resemblance
- Ten faiths · inner ordinary stage
The ten faiths purify the six faculties. They progressively remove errors of view, thought and knowledge, while subduing ignorance. Partial realization of the Dharma body has yet to begin.
- 分证即佛 · Identity in partial realization
- First abode through equal awakening · 41 stages
At the first abode, a portion of ignorance is removed and the Dharma body is partially realized. The ten abodes, practices, dedications and grounds, plus equal awakening, form 41 stages. Distinct teaching realization begins at the first ground; identical stage names are not equivalent.
- 究竟即佛 · Identity in ultimate realization
- Perfect teaching: wondrous awakening
Wondrous awakening in the Perfect teaching is ultimate realization. A shared destination illustrates convergence into the Perfect Buddha vehicle. Within the separate doctrinal systems, Distinct wondrous awakening corresponds only to a partial realization stage in the Perfect teaching.
| Identity | 藏教 · Tripiṭaka Analytical contemplation of emptiness · Four Noble Truths as arising and perishing | 通教 · Shared Contemplation of inherent emptiness · Four Noble Truths as nonarising | 别教 · Distinct Sequential contemplation: empty, provisional, middle · Four Noble Truths as immeasurable | 圆教 · Perfect Threefold contemplation in one mind · Four Noble Truths as spontaneous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identity in principle | One-sided truth Truth approached through cessation | Non-arising Phenomena do not inherently arise | Exclusive middle The middle beyond the two extremes | Inconceivable principle Mind, Buddha and beings are nondual |
| Identity in name | Understand dependent arising Impermanence and no self | Understand illusory phenomena Empty as they are, not through destruction | Trust in the middle Understand and trust the nature of suchness | Understand the perfect middle The middle in every phenomenon |
| Identity in practice | Outer preparatory stages Five calming methods → particular → comprehensive mindfulness | 1 · Dry wisdom Outer ordinary stage of the three vehicles | Ten faiths Outer stage; subdues view and thought afflictions | Five grades Rejoicing → recitation → explanation → additional → principal practice of the perfections |
| Identity in resemblance | Four inner preparatory stages Warmth → summit → acceptance → highest worldly stage | 2 · Nature stage Inner ordinary stage; subdues afflictions | Three groups · thirty stages Ten abodes → ten practices → ten dedications | Ten faiths View → thought → knowledge afflictions; ignorance subdued |
| Identity in partial realization | First three fruits · training Stream-enterer → once-returner → non-returner | Stages 3–9 Eight-person → seeing → attenuation → desire-free → accomplished → pratyekabuddha → bodhisattva | Ten grounds → equal awakening Ignorance is broken from the first ground | 41 stages of partial realization Ten abodes → practices → dedications → grounds → equal awakening |
| Identity in ultimate realization | Completion in the three vehicles Arhat, pratyekabuddha, or Tripiṭaka Buddha; residual habits differ | 10 · Buddha stage Residual habits removed; completion within this teaching | Distinct wondrous awakening Doctrinal completion; not Perfect ultimate realization | Wondrous awakening All 42 portions of ignorance removed |
Stage groups and complete paths
Ten faiths: faith, mindfulness, effort, wisdom, concentration, non-retrogression, dedication, protecting Dharma, discipline, aspiration.
Ten abodes: aspiration, preparation, practice, noble birth, skillful means, right mind, non-retrogression, youthful purity, Dharma prince, consecration.
Ten practices: joy, benefit, freedom from anger, inexhaustibility, freedom from confusion, manifestation of good, non-attachment, respect, wholesome Dharma, truth.
Ten dedications: saving beings without attachment, indestructibility, equality with Buddhas, reaching all places, inexhaustible merit, equal roots of good, equal regard for beings, suchness, unbound liberation, immeasurable Dharma realm.
Ten grounds: joy, purity, radiance, blazing wisdom, difficult to conquer, presence, far-reaching, immovability, good wisdom, Dharma cloud.
Three kinds of affliction: errors of view and thought; obstacles to knowing the countless ways of helping beings; fundamental ignorance of the middle. Their removal must be understood within each teaching.
Tripiṭaka
Śrāvaka: five calming methods → particular and comprehensive mindfulness → warmth → summit → acceptance → highest worldly stage (seven preparatory stages) → stream-entry → once-returning → non-returning → arhatship. Pratyekabuddha: contemplation of the twelve links → awakening, also weakening residual habits. Bodhisattva: vows and six perfections through three incalculable eons → a hundred eons cultivating marks → final birth → acceptance and highest worldly stage → thirty-four moments removing afflictions and habits → Tripiṭaka Buddhahood.
Shared
Ten shared stages: 1 dry wisdom → 2 nature → 3 eight-person → 4 seeing → 5 attenuation → 6 desire-free → 7 accomplished → 8 pratyekabuddha → 9 bodhisattva → 10 Buddha. Śrāvakas finish at stage 7 and pratyekabuddhas at 8. Bodhisattvas remain active for beings at 9 and remove remaining habits at 10. Reception into the Distinct or Perfect path is considered separately.
Distinct
Ten faiths → ten abodes (enter emptiness) → ten practices (enter the provisional) → ten dedications (practice the middle) → ten grounds (break ignorance from the first) → equal awakening → Distinct wondrous awakening. The system has 52 doctrinal stages. In comparison of realization: first ground ≈ first Perfect abode; tenth ground ≈ tenth abode; equal awakening ≈ first Perfect practice; wondrous awakening ≈ second practice.
Perfect
Principle → name → five grades (practice) → ten faiths (resemblance) → ten abodes → ten practices → ten dedications → ten grounds → equal awakening (41 stages of partial realization from the first abode) → wondrous awakening (ultimate). Partial removal of ignorance and realization of the Dharma body start at the first abode. The contemplation remains threefold in one mind throughout.