Tiantai treats the Lotus Sutra as the summit of Buddhist revelation, a grand symphony where every earlier teaching plays its part but finds its fullest expression. By arranging the Buddha’s sermons into “five periods and eight teachings,” Tiantai places the Lotus Sutra at the very end—its climax and crowning jewel. This framework isn’t just academic; it shows how provisional lessons (like the Vinaya or Abhidharma) prepare practitioners for the universal message of ekayāna, the “One Vehicle,” which embraces all beings without exception.

At the heart of Tiantai thought lies the Threefold Truth. First comes emptiness, revealing the lack of independent self-nature. Next, provisional existence affirms the conventional reality of our everyday world. Finally, the Middle Way unites these two, pointing to a dynamic harmony. The Lotus Sutra’s parable of the burning house illustrates this perfectly: the Buddha’s three paths (sravakayana, pratyekabuddhayana, and bodhisattvayana) are skilful means, but the one true destination is full Buddhahood for every soul.

A distinctive Tiantai flourish is the teaching on “original enlightenment.” Instead of seeing enlightenment as a distant goal, the Lotus Sutra assures that every being already carries Buddha-nature, just waiting for the right conditions to burst into bloom—much like cherry blossoms greeting spring. This perspective fuels contemporary events, such as the recent Tiantai Lake Festival in Zhejiang, where tens of thousands gathered to chant Lotus Sutra verses and celebrate a living tradition.

Meditation methods complement these insights: silent reflection on the “One Vehicle” blends seamlessly with doctrinal study, weaving theory and practice into a single tapestry. Today’s modern Buddhists often find in Tiantai a roadmap for integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary life challenges, proving that a teaching from 1,700 years ago can still hit the nail on the head in a fast-moving world.