妙法蓮華經玄義 7.251

7.251

蓮譬理即位：芽鑽皮麁住位；芽出皮細住位；鑽泥欲定位；齊泥未到位；出泥在水四禪位；禪定如水，能洗欲塵，處水增長，譬無色位；齊此譬觀行蓮華位；出水譬破見思，相似蓮華十信位；處空含而欲敷，譬十住位；鬚臺可識，譬十行位；隨日開迴，譬十迴向位；敷舒成就荷負蜂蝶，譬十地位；鬚葉零落，臺子獨在，譬休息眾行，妙覺圓滿，果上無事，真常湛然，此皆譬位妙也。

The lotus illustrates the stages of principle as identity: the shoot piercing the skin is the stage of coarse abiding; the shoot emerging from the skin is the stage of subtle abiding; boring through the mud is the stage of desiring concentration; leveling with the mud is the preparatory stage; emerging from the mud into the water is the stage of the four dhyānas; dhyāna concentration is like water, able to wash away the dust of desire, and growing while situated in the water illustrates the formless stages; up to this illustrates the stages of the lotus of contemplative practice. Emerging above the water illustrates shattering [the delusions of] views and thoughts, corresponding to the ten faiths of the lotus of resemblance. Situated in the open air, budded and about to bloom, illustrates the ten abodes. The stamens and receptacle becoming discernible illustrates the ten practices. Opening and turning with the sun illustrates the ten dedications. Blossoming fully and sustaining bees and butterflies illustrates the ten grounds. The stamens and leaves falling away, leaving the receptacle alone, illustrates the cessation of all practices, the perfection of wondrous awakening, being without further tasks at the fruit, true, eternal, and serene. These all illustrate the wondrousness of the stages.