妙法蓮華經玄義 7.256

7.256

從一藕邊更生一華，展轉復生無量蓮華，譬業生眷屬妙；從一蓮房墮子在泥，更生蓮華，展轉復生無量蓮華，譬神通眷屬妙；掘移彼藕，採彼蓮子，種於此池，蓮華熾盛，譬願生眷屬妙；彼池飛來，如遊絲薄霧，入於此池，蓮華熾盛，譬應生眷屬妙。

From beside one lotus root, another flower is born, which in turn gives birth to immeasurable lotuses: this illustrates the wondrousness of kinsmen born of karma. A seed falling into the mud from a single lotus receptacle, growing another lotus flower, which in turn gives birth to immeasurable lotuses: this illustrates the wondrousness of kinsmen born of spiritual penetrations. Digging up and transplanting that root, gathering those lotus seeds, and planting them in this pond so that the lotuses flourish: this illustrates the wondrousness of kinsmen born of vows. Flying from that pond like floating gossamer or thin mist, entering into this pond so that the lotuses flourish: this illustrates the wondrousness of kinsmen born of response.