Lotus -- Cause within Effect, Effect within Cause

Why does the lotus represent the wisdom of life? All plants bloom first and then bear fruit, but only the lotus has cause and effect simultaneously. When the lotus blooms, the lotus seed is already inside. By the time the flower opens, the seed is also mature. The flower is the cause, and the seed is the effect. This is the cause within the effect, and the effect within the cause. All phenomena are empty, but cause and effect are not. The lotus symbolizes transforming afflictions into enlightenment. If there were no mud, the lotus would have nowhere to take root. Afflictions are like the mud in the water; only by awakening from afflictions can you bloom the flower of enlightenment!