The most important and frequently sited way of dividing up the Lotus Sutra is into two sections, one being the Provisional section, Shakumon, and the other the Essential, or Hammon. Chapters 1 through 14 are considered to be the Provisional teachings in the Lotus Sutra. Chapters 15 through 28 are the Essential portions of the Lotus Sutra.

One way of understanding this division is to think of the Provisional section as containing the causes for attaining the supreme enlightenment of Buddhas, whereas the Essential section contains the benefit or the result of the practices of the Provisional section.