What is a Dharma Bum?

In Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac is seen to have the religious views of a Buddhist-Catholic or a Catholic-Buddhist. It is obvious to see that his religious aspects are evident in the way the novel is written. Dharma Bums was written when Kerouac was strongly committed to the Buddhist religion trying to reach enlightenment.
Ray's search for his beatitude is strongly dominated by his love for the physical elements of life and his love to interact with others. His carefree lifestyle is one any person would dream of being able to live, but sometimes the reality of living the life of a Dharma Bum is not all what it is cracked up to be. Ray has to deal with the loneliness that comes with being a wanderer, spiritual challenges, and the obstacles of death. He finds it difficult to find tranquility because he is often falsely satisfied by the unnatural beauties of life. Ray's style of practicing his religion is by immersing himself in several different cultures, never gaining the solitude to truly reach enlightenment. Japhy's style of gaining enlightenment differs from Ray's because Japhy indulges in his solitude. His trips to the mountains enabled him to escape from the city of San Francisco where he could quietly connect to the spiritual elements of the world. The definition of a Dharma Bum can clearly be seen by the ways Ray and Japhy live their lives. Even though they both are in search for enlightenment, they are finding it in different ways, which is fine. Dharma Bums are religious mentors that Kerouac personified through the term Bodhisattva. “meaning, great wise being, or great wise angel,” which is ultimately the way Ray and Japhy are trying to live their life in the novel Dharma Bums.
Question:
Do you think that Ray wants to fully emerge in the Buddhist culture or do you think that his Catholic background is too strong for him to do so?