[T]he five flavors Zhiyi used to classify the Buddha’s teachings correspond to the five sequential events from the parable of the prodigal son in Chapter 4 of the Lotus Sūtra. These five events are providing, inviting, encouraging, purifying, and revealing.

1. Providing is the period of the Flower Garland Sūtra when Śākyamuni Buddha tested sentient beings to see if they would accept the Dharma. In the parable, this corresponds to bringing the prodigal to his family home.
2. Inviting is the period of the Deer Park teachings when the Buddha preached the Hinayāna teaching to the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, who did not at first understand, in order to invite them in. In the parable, letting the prodigal do menial cleaning work.
3. Encouraging, also understood as admonishing, is the period of the Expanded teachings when the Buddha guided śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas who were satisfied with Hinayāna teachings, to move on to Mahāyāna teachings. In the parable, promoting the prodigal to more responsible and prestigious positions and acclimating him to life in the mansion.
4. Purifying is the period of the Wisdom teachings when the Buddha expounded the only true teaching by reconciling disagreements between Hinayāna and Mahāyāna. In the parable, entrusting the prodigal with managing the estate.
5. Revealing is the period of the Lotus and Nirvāṇa Sūtras when the Buddha preached the ultimate teaching. In the parable, announcing that the prodigal is in fact his son and heir.