As practitioners of Buddhism the predictions presented in the [Lotus Sutra] offer us unlimited hope of our own enlightenment. We have, if we choose, the foundation on which to base very hopeful future stories regardless of the struggles facing us in this moment. If we had no promise of enlightenment, then practicing Buddhism would be a sketchy proposition at best and possibly a dismal future at worst. Without the promise of enlightenment then what would we have on which to base our future?