The Four Siddhāntas in the Lotus Sūtra

The Four Siddhāntas employed in the door of the Origin are regarded by Chih-i as the unique feature of the Lotus Sūtra. By opening the Traces and revealing the Origin, the Four Siddhāntas in the Lotus Sūtra are forever different from that in other sūtras. Therefore, the ten functions in the Origin, along with the Four Siddhāntas that are contained in each of the ten functions in the Origin, are only possessed by the Lotus Sūtra. Chih-i confirms that the functions in the Traces of the Lotus Sūtra already surpass the functions of other sūtras, let alone the Four Siddhāntas that are contained in these functions. Why? Other sūtras do not even have any of the ten functions in the Origin, not to mention all the ten functions in the Origin. The Four Siddhāntas in the Traces already surpass those in other sūtras, for other sūtras do not even have one of the Four Siddhāntas in the Origin, not to mention all the Four Siddhāntas in the Origin. Thus, Chih-i concludes that the function of the Lotus Sūtra is supreme. (Vol. 2, Page 451)

The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra: Tien-tai Philosophy of Buddhism