The three modes of Śākyamuni's teaching as expounded by the teachers south of the Yangtze after the Ch'i dynasty A.D. 479-501. (1) The 漸教 gradual method, leading the disciples step by step to nirvana. (2) The 頓教 immediate method, by which he instructed the Bodhisattvas, revealing the whole truth. (3) The 不定教 undetermined method, by which the teaching is adapted to each individual or group.

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

南北朝自蕭齊之後，江 南諸師所立之三教，用以判釋如來一代所說之法。三教乃指：(一)頓教，即佛最初為諸菩薩所說之華嚴經。(二)漸教，即佛說法從小至大以開導眾生，亦即由阿 含經漸說至涅槃經以誘導之。(四)不定教，指非為頓漸二教所攝，乃明示佛性常住之勝鬘經、金光明經等。〔華嚴經玄談卷四〕（參閱「南三北七」3734）

佛光電子大辭典

p3737

（名數）齊朝已後，江南諸師，立左之三教以判一代所說之法：一、漸教，謂自初轉法輪至涅槃自小至大者。二、頓教，謂佛成道之初為諸菩薩說華嚴經者。三、不定教，如勝鬘經及金光明經非頓漸之所攝別明佛性常住者。見華嚴玄談四。

丁福保《佛學大辭典》