First of all, the lotus is generally presented as forming six analogies. The sequence of appearance of the lotus flower and the seedpod of the lotus in different times are portrayed as the allegorical expression of the doctrine of the Relative Truth and the Ultimate Truth, or the doctrine of the Traces and the Origin. The three analogies for the door of the Traces indicate that the Buddha employs expedient means as the beginning stage to teach beings, and eventually leads them to attain perfect enlightenment.

The third analogy uses the falling flower that ripens the seedpod to analogize that by abolishing the Three Vehicles (Śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas), the One Vehicle of Buddhahood is revealed: “When the flower falls, the seed is formed. This analogizes the abolishment of the Three [Vehicles] and the revelation of the One [Vehicle], [because] there is only one single Buddha vehicle that arrives directly at the bodhimaṇḍa.”

The three analogies for the door of the Origin indicate that the cause and effect of Buddhahood are complete at the time of the Origin.

1. The first analogy uses the flower that must be accompanied by the seedpod to analogize that the Traces must contain the Origin (though the Origin is not yet known): “The flower that contains the seedpod analogizes that the Traces certainly contain the Origin, and are contained in the Origin. Although the intention [of the Buddha] is for the Origin, the purpose of the Buddha is difficult to be known.”
2. When the flower opens, the seedpod is displayed. This is to analogize that the recognition of the Origin is to realize that the Traces as expedient means are extremely important, for the Traces can lead one to realize the Ultimate Truth the Origin represents: “When the flower blooms, the seedpod is revealed. This analogizes that the opening of the Traces and the revelation of the Origin is for the sake of the Traces, for this can cause the bodhisattvas to recognize the expedient means [employed by] the Buddha. Since the Traces have been recognized, [one] returns to recognize the Origin, by which the Path is enhanced and the life [of birth-and-death] is decreased.”178
3. The third analogy indicates that when the Origin is manifested, the Traces should be abandoned, so that one is no longer attached to the Traces, and is able to progress to attain perfect enlightenment: “When the flower falls, the seed is ripe. This analogizes the abolishment of the Traces and the revelation of the Origin. Since the Origin has been recognized, [one] is no longer ignorant about the Traces. [One] abides in the dharmakāya only, cultivating the Path, and ascending the supreme stage of perfection.”