Originally Posted by
Omoi Otoshi
A buddhist is someone who is practicing buddhism. What is practice? Who defines what buddhism is? I wouldn't worry too much about that. You want to practice buddhism? Find yourself a buddhist teacher (you already did!). On the other hand, if you were to wrap yourself in a bed sheet and stand on your head, calling that buddhist practice, it could be. You could be actualizing Buddha perfectly, while someone who sits in a beautiful cross legged pose may do so out of pure greed, aversion and delusion. To me, a buddhist is someone showing compassion for the suffering of all sentient beings. Someone who cultivates Bodhi mind, Buddha's mind. Someone who believes in the Buddha's four noble truths: Dukkha, the causes of dukkha, the cessation of dukkha, the path leading to the cessation of dukkha. Zen is the direct pointing path, but not the only path. Buddhism is the way of wisdom and compassion, but not the only way. Ultimately, there's no way, no truth, no buddhism. Just this.
As to your questions, I'm afraid there's no clear cut answer. A start would be to look at where these questions are coming from. You? Who is this You? Sit, and explore, by just letting yourself be, without trying. Be who You are. 100% Buddha.
Gassho,
Pontus