妙法蓮華經玄義 7.225

7.225

次、解蓮華有二義：一、出水義，不可盡出離小乘泥濁水故。復有義蓮華出泥水，喻諸聲聞入如來大眾中坐，如諸菩薩坐蓮華上，聞說無上智慧清淨境界，證如來密藏故。二、華開者，眾生於大乘中，心怯弱不能生信故，開示如來淨妙法身，令生信心故。

Next, it explains that 'lotus flower' has two meanings: First, the meaning of emerging from water, because it cannot be exhausted in leaving behind the muddy and turbid water of the small vehicle. Furthermore, the meaning of the lotus flower emerging from muddy water illustrates the śrāvakas entering the great assembly of the Tathāgata to sit, like bodhisattvas sitting upon lotus flowers, hearing the preaching of the unexcelled wisdom and pure realm, and realising the esoteric treasury of the Tathāgata. Second, as for the opening of the flower: because sentient beings are timid and weak in mind regarding the Great Vehicle and unable to produce faith, it opens and displays the pure and subtle dharma-kāya of the Tathāgata to make them give rise to faith.