The three progressive developments of the Buddha's teaching according to the Prajñā school: (a) the 鹿苑 initial stage in the Lumbinī deer park; (b) the 方等 period of the eight succeeding years; (c) the 般若 Prajñā or wisdom period which succeeded.

A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms, William Edward Soothill and Lewis Hodous

（術語）五時中漸教之三教也。即鹿苑，方等，般若是。

丁福保《佛學大辭典》