The theoretical first half of the Lotus Sutra taught that we are all potential buddhas and that the Buddha actually taught only One Vehicle, which enables us to realize that potential. In the essential latter half of the Lotus Sutra, the promise of the One Vehicle bears fruit as the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha. Since the historical Shakyamuni was a real person, the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha makes the seemingly abstract ideal of Buddhahood concrete in a living exemplar. Furthermore, since Buddhahood transcends birth and death, the Buddha is able to be just as present to us right now as he was to his historical disciples. In being present to us, the Buddha is able to grant us the ability to live in accord with his teachings and realize our own Buddhahood, our own eternal life.