<aside> 🚧 I'm not happy with the wording here, and have some concerns about how it comes across. I think perhaps the message here is needlessly opaque or unclear.

So FYI I'll be revisiting this page again soon; take what's here with a grain of salt.

</aside>

I'm a big fan of Buddhism. I like how its principles are very clear, balanced across many ideals, compassionate, open for inquiry, and discussed at great length - I find it very accessible.

I infrequently attend a Buddhist Centre and have been on a few meditation retreats led both different Buddhist groups/traditions and by less formally affiliated groups ones (and DIY ones).

I meditate regularly, which I do in a structured way and treat like mental training as opposed to a practise of devotion or something faith related.

I consume a lot of content around Buddhism (and topics tangentially related to it and its practices) and Contemplative Fitness, as it's a combination of fascinating, insightful, and useful.

I believe the Buddha was a historical person and there is a lot of evidence and oral transcriptions of his lessons on morality, ethics, wisdom and concentration (read: meditation) from over 2500 years ago. The history of Buddhism is very interesting and something I've learned a lot about.

"So... are you a Buddhist?"

The preceding paragraphs will give you a much more informed idea than a 'yes' or 'no'.

"So you're a Buddhist."

This answer isn't important. And it's not something I'm trying to hide either, or that it's some secret pastime of mine or something. I literally just don't think about this.

"Why aren't you OK with just being called a Buddhist?"

See now you're just trying to put me in the "not a Buddhist" box. If it pleases you to call me a Buddhist, or that it puts some mild concern/outrage to rest, I haven't properly communicated the above or you've unfortunately missed the point.

In any case you can probably see or appreciate why this kind of conversation isn't useful and tends towards frustration for one or both parties. The distinction isn't necessary in my opinion (even for ostensibly 'obvious' labels) and I'd rather discuss related ideas and have conversations that aren't about semantics. My apologies if this seems pedantic.

Please read this: [WIP] Let's talk about labels