妙法蓮華經玄義 7.255

7.255

華合未開，譬隱一乘，分別說三；華葉正開，譬會三歸一，但說一乘；華落蓮存，譬絕教冥理；若知如來常不說法乃名多聞，此等譬說法妙也。

The flower closed and not yet open illustrates concealing the eka-yāna and differentially preaching the three [vehicles]. The flower and leaves fully open illustrate uniting the three to return to the one, preaching only the eka-yāna. The flower falling and the lotus remaining illustrates transcending the teaching and merging with principle. Knowing that the Tathāgata constantly never expounds the Dharma is called 'having heard much'. These illustrate the wondrousness of expounding the Dharma.