The Lotus Sutra holds a central and essential role in Tiantai meditation. It is considered the primary text and foundation for all Buddhist teachings in Tiantai. Tiantai, also known as Tendai in Japan, is a school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by the Chinese monk Zhiyi in the 6th century. Its teachings are based on the Lotus Sutra and the concept of "One Vehicle" or "One Dharma" which emphasizes the unity and inclusivity of all Buddhist teachings.

In Tiantai meditation, the Lotus Sutra is seen as the ultimate truth, the highest teaching of the Buddha. It is believed to contain the essence of all other Buddhist sutras and teachings, and therefore, it is considered the most important text in Tiantai. The Lotus Sutra is also known as the "King of Sutras" or the "Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma" due to its profound and all-encompassing nature.

One of the key concepts in Tiantai meditation is the "Threefold Truth" or "Threefold Reality". This concept is based on the Lotus Sutra and states that all phenomena have three aspects - the ultimate truth, the conventional truth, and the Middle Way truth. The ultimate truth refers to the ultimate reality of emptiness and interconnectedness, the conventional truth refers to the everyday reality we experience, and the Middle Way truth refers to the harmony and integration of the two. Tiantai meditation aims to cultivate an understanding and experience of these threefold truths through the practice of meditation.

The Lotus Sutra also plays a crucial role in Tiantai meditation through the practice of "reciting the title" or "chanting the title". This practice involves repeating the title of the Lotus Sutra, "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo", as a form of meditation. It is believed that through this practice, one can connect with the ultimate truth and attain enlightenment. The Lotus Sutra is also chanted in Tiantai temples as a way to honor and pay homage to the Buddha's teachings.

Moreover, the Lotus Sutra is also used as a guide for Tiantai meditation. Its teachings on the concept of "skillful means" or "upaya" are applied in meditation to help practitioners overcome obstacles and reach a state of awakening. The Lotus Sutra also emphasizes the importance of compassion and the bodhisattva path, which are essential elements in Tiantai meditation.

In conclusion, the Lotus Sutra holds a central role in Tiantai meditation as it is considered the ultimate truth and the foundation for all Buddhist teachings in this school. Its teachings on the threefold truth, chanting the title, and skillful means are all integral to the practice of Tiantai meditation. By integrating all Buddhist teachings around the Lotus Sutra, Tiantai meditation aims to help practitioners attain enlightenment and embody the teachings of the Buddha.