The “One Vehicle” (一乘, ekayāna) in Tiantai really pulls everything together like a master key. Instead of juggling separate paths for śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas, it declares that every teaching ultimately points to the single aim of Buddhahood. Picture all those varied doctrines as tributaries merging into one mighty river—that’s the magic of ekayāna.

Why does this matter so much in the Chinese Tiantai tradition?

• Unifying Lens: By treating the Lotus Sūtra as the supreme teaching, Tiantai turns apparent contradictions among earlier sūtras into complementary notes in a grand symphony. What once looked like conflicting doctrines becomes a cohesive roadmap to awakening.

• Skillful Means in Action: Tiantai’s famous “Five Periods and Eight Teachings” classification system hinges on ekayāna. It shows how the Buddha tailored his messages to different audiences, all guiding toward the same destination. Just like a savvy teacher using varied examples—stories for kids, formulas for grown-ups—it’s about meeting practitioners where they are and steering them to the loftiest goal.

• Bottom-Line Realization: Rather than get bogged down in technicalities, ekayāna encourages direct insight into one’s buddha-nature. It’s like being handed glasses that instantly sharpen blurry visions. Once clarity kicks in, every practice—meditation, chanting, ethical conduct—flows naturally toward full awakening.

• Modern Resonance: With globalization and interfaith dialogue picking up steam, ekayāna speaks volumes: at heart, many paths converge. Today’s Buddhist conferences in Hangzhou or virtual Lotus Sutra gatherings emphasize this universal message, reminding seekers everywhere that diversity and unity aren’t at odds.

In a world that often feels fragmented, the Tiantai “One Vehicle” offers an elegant reminder: beneath all the noise, there’s a single true path blossoming like the sacred lotus—rooted in mud but rising ever-pure.