When I say that 'I am a Buddhist'

When I say that 'I am a Buddhist', 

I am not shouting that 

'I am good, better than you or 
even close to being pure'.
Instead I'm shouting that 

'I was lost in the pains, unsatisfactoriness and 

frustrations of the world, 

but now I'm walking a path that

leads to progressive lessening of my greed and ignorance, 

lessening my attachments and sufferings 

day by day.'

When I say 'I am a Buddhist', 

I don't speak of this with a 'Holier than Thou' attitude, 

Never with a 
'I am going to Heaven while you are on 
a one way ticket to Hell' mindset.
Instead I'm confessing that 
I am ignorant of much Truth and 
need the Buddha Dhamma to be my guide.

If I am bad I have an equal chance as any of going to Hell, 

and if I am keeping my precepts well, 

I too have a well deserved holiday in Heaven.

When I say 'I am a Buddhist',
I'm not trying to show 'One-upmanship' or arrogance 

but I'm professing that I'm weak and 
need the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha 

as my Refuge to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Buddhist', 

I'm not bragging of success.
Instead I'm admitting I have failed time and 
again to let go of my Greed, Hatred and Ignorance, 
and need the Buddha Dhamma to 
help me develop qualities of 

Generosity, Loving Kindness and Wisdom.

When I say 'I am a Buddhist',

I'm not claiming to be perfect.
In reality my flaws are far too visible, 

but the Buddha has taught that 

everyone of us is capable of purifying himself and 

attaining perfect wisdom of the Truths of life. 

He has given me the confidence that 

I too can evolve to be Enlightened.

When I say 'I am a Buddhist',

I still feel the sting of pain, 

the aging of my body, illness and 

I have my share of heartaches and 
failures in this ceaselessly changing world.

But the Dhamma has taught me 

to see the realities of life, 

to accept change and 
to handle it with Wisdom. 

My physical body will inevitably suffer but 

my mental pain is optional.

by Anonymous