I recently decided to convert into buddhism. I tried searching online to see what I had to do to convert but didn't find much. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out how to convert and give me all the details.. Thanks

Welcome to the forum, Retrospect. We are happy to have you here. The Buddhists have temples around. I would try calling some of those temples. I will email Watcher, one of our members and see what she knows about converting.

Welcome to the board Retrospect. I'm Zen Buddhist.
To become a buddhist, you don't need to go through a terrifying ritual or classes.
All that you need to do is to take the Three Refuges.
-The Buddha
-The Dharma
-The Sanga
Basically, buddha, his message, and the buddhist community. Don't get the wrong idea, taking refuge in the buddha is not a christian version of accepting Jesus. It is just saying that you can become like the buddha.
Also, you need to understand the four noble truths and eightfold path.

There is no temple even close to where I live, so when I converted it was very personal. I lit some incense, and began a session of zazen. It didn't take long before I was deep into the meditation. I poured over what the Buddha's message means to me, thought about the four n.truths and the 8fold path. I had been studying everything I could about it for months. Finally, I felt that I was ready. I embraced my new faith completly, not holding anything back.
http://www.buddhanet.net/ans91.htm
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/qanda10.htm
What tradition of Buddhism have you been thinking about?

Namaste

Greetings retrospect__,

One certainly valuable resource is Pundit Ken Wilber. You should read some of his books. He was a student of many important teachers, has practiced vedantic and buddhist practices for more than three decades, and imparts a really usefull perspective that is synthetic, synthesizing, and in his own stead, "Integral".

A good place to browse for well pubished resources is http://shambhala.com/index.cfm, the following titles share much with the interfaith:

Transformations of Consciousness
The Marriage of Sense and Soul,
Integral Sprituality,
One taste,
A Brief History of Everything,
A Sociable God,
Sex, Ecology, Spirituality

By the way, I thought it was neat that you said "convert into" Buddhism, like entering a stream.


Also an easy and practical guide is Rinpoche Chogyam Trungpa's Shambhala: the sacred path of the warrior

Cheers

It occured to me that many people consider conversion, not only into buddhism, as retrospect_ did, but into other faiths, traditions and such. Re-reading my post it seems like i was steering others who may be searching for what they would like as a path, with a name, perhaps, in a difficult direction. The reason is that Ken Wilber, or KW, as he calls himself, is a philosopher and psychology guru, who is not normally called upon for an introduction to religion.

To this end, i support the already mentioned nobility in the Truths as such, and the many-fold path toward realizing. However, this being the interfaith forum, one ought also to mention that doctrine, dogma and faith have a very close relationship. In this regard, the Integral approach pioneered by Wilber, others, and also the inter faith camps are a step in what i see as the appropriate direction. Consider that the eightfold path is akin to the eight limbs of yoga, which are both akin, in a very important way, to the entire schools of religious traditions. Akin because any path, if so called and when chosen, is meant to bring its travellers to the same place; which is what we know colloquially, as home in the heart. Make no mistake about this important point. Being a buddhist no more qualifies one to get into heaven than being a christian, muslim, or whathaveyou. I believe, sincerely, that if the buddha were alive today, and one such as retrospect_, say, heard where buddha was teaching, approached him in the appropriate manner and said: "may i join your religion", he would have no choice but to consider the earnestness and readyness in the questioner before responding in word, which may take a very long time. Then, he could simply point at something and leave it at that. Yet, that's not so simple after all.

If you want to be correct about buddhism, you need to look at the life of the buddha. Same for Islam, you look at Muhammad. Same for Christ Jesus (you especially consider what happened to him when he disappeared, supposedly studying with the yogis, later shaking things up royally). Same for deep ecology; look to environmental philosophy. Same for eco-terrorism - you look at rampant environmentalism, and any one who cannot take the hand of their neighbor and show them the right way.

To be a buddhist, you would have to sit down and do what buddha did in whatever capacity you are able. And you should check your progress directly with someone on that path, so to speak, so as to not loose your bearings.

In a sense, the world needs more religious practitioners. But in a more important sense, it needs interfaith understanding. Whether you have ten commandments that you live by as a christian, or five precepts you adhere to as a vipassana meditator, or any number of categories of rationalizations that exist, or may exist, the same truths are fundamental.

So you may find yourself a buddhist, because you believe that such a path is useful and beneficial. You may find yourself belonging to another religion that fits your patterns of practice, and that has the potential to be a great thing. And if you don't find yourself in any religion as such, you may still find your self breathing - and aware of your breathing, which is exactly what the buddha did best.

The following occured to me while reading another post.

To be converted to a religion you should adopt the practice. You should discover what the essence of the practice is. A little bit of theory - a whole lot of practice. It may be argued, but, (at this stage) I think vipassana is the essence of the buddha's practice. Now, much else overlaps with insight meditation - awareness of the physical, mental, inner, collective, and beyond. Fortunately, much contemplative insight in most religions shares the same theoretical foundations. Unfortunately, perhaps, buddhism gives one a direct, scientific pathway for letting go, and transcending. As such, it can be in conflict with many religions.

Some buddhists do ablutions, like downward dogs. It is very hard work finding humility for contentment. The monks of shaolin walk down stairs on their hands, again, an adaptation on mindful practice.

Congrats on your conversion!
I am in the process of learning thus when I've sufficiently acquired enough knowledge to follow this path, I will convert!