Considering that the Lotus Sūtra expresses the Ten Suchnesses as the characteristics of the Ultimate Truth, and that the Lotus Sūtra consists of the door of the Traces and the door of the Origin, Chih-i argues that the image of the lotus should be able to analogize all of these meanings. Chih-i enumerates three analogies with the lotus flower for the door of the Traces and for the door of the Origin respectively. …

The first analogy elucidates the beginning stage of the Buddha’s teaching career, which can be characterized by ignorance of beings, with which sentient beings are unable to conceive the Ultimate Truth (even though the Ultimate is contained in the Relative). Chih-i describes that when the flower grows, the seed has to be followed. The flower blooms for the formation of the seed, but the seed is not visible. This analogizes that the exposition of the Relative Truth is underlined by the Ultimate Truth, and the Buddha’s intention is for the revelation of the Ultimate Truth, but no one is yet capable of knowing such ultimate purpose at this stage, just like the seed is unknown at the moment when the flower just blooms.

The second analogy describes the final stage of the Buddha’s teaching career, which can be characterized by opening the Relative and revealing the Ultimate, whereby the Relative is made known as an indispensable expedient means for the Ultimate to be recognized. Chih-i depicts that only if the flower blooms, can the seedpod be displayed. Besides, the formation of the seedpod relies on the flower. This analogizes that the present opening of the Relative Truth and the revelation of the Ultimate Truth depends on the use of Relative Truth as expedient means, just like the seedpod depends on the flower to be nurtured and displayed.

The third analogy describes the result of the final teaching of the Buddha, which can be characterized by abandoning the Relative when the Ultimate of the One Buddha-vehicle is revealed, for the latter can lead beings to attain the Ultimate Truth of Buddhahood. Chih-i notes that when the flower falls, the seed is formed. This analogizes the abolishment of the Three Vehicles and the revelation of the One Buddha-vehicle. There is only one single Buddha-vehicle that arrives directly at the bodhimaṇḍa. Seeing that the bodhisattvas are involved in deliberate action of saving beings, they have not yet attained insight into the Ultimate Truth, and this is like the blooming of flower. In view of the non-action of all the Buddhas, the Buddhas’ insight concerns the Ultimate Truth, and this is like when the flower falls, the seed is formed. (Vol. 2, Page 384-385)