Definitive teachings
definitive teachings (nedon): Teachings of the Buddha that give the direct meaning of dharma and are not changed or simplified to meet the capacity of the listener. The Buddha taught to all level of beings and he mostly taught by answering the questions of those who came to Him. When someone came with high intelligence and great faith and devotion and a desire to practice and asked questions
from that point of view, the Buddha gave them the definitive or highest teachings. Others who had little faith, devotion or a great yearning for the dharma would only receive “provisional teachings” that would require interpretation. The sutras (suttas) contain both types of teachings. This is why there are 84,000 dharma methods.
See also; “dharma doors” and “four perspectives.”
