[Ankeseiband]

Maybe if one follows the teachings of the [historical?] Buddha she/he becomes a follower of the teachings of the [historical?] Buddha. When I hear the term "Buddhist" it recalls me a follower of a specific tradition that can not be completely rooted in the original teachings of the historical Buddha. So not every Buddhist by force is just a follower of the teachings of the Buddha. She or he can be practicing cultural additions and modification of those original teachings sometimes known as "Buddhism". In this way, no, one do not have to be a "Buddhist" to follow the teachings of the [historical?] Buddha.