法華經義記 1.9

1.9

Regarding 'lotus flower' (puṇḍarīka): outwardly, it is an analogy for a thing that necessarily has both blossom and fruit together. If one speaks of the blossom of the lotus, it is like the cause of the fruit; if one speaks of the fruit of the lotus blossom, it is like the result of the cause. Therefore, this sūtra fundamentally needs to elucidate both the cause and effect of the One Vehicle as resembling this flower; hence, adopting the analogy, it takes its name, and is called 'lotus flower'.