How about THIS one?

What is Buddhism? http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1149
Who Was Buddha? http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1150
Four Noble Truths: http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1151
Eightfold Path: http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1152
Five Precepts: http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1153

Your post is exactly what I meant. The rituals and vows themselves are not important; it's the effect they have on you that matters.

In Christianity, for example, you are making a vow to God– it's a two-way arrangement, so the rituals must be done a certain way because God makes the rules. On the other hand, in Buddhism, at least in most varieties, it's really all about YOU. After you did took the Bodhisattva Vows, you felt like a real Buddhist. It was a mental shift inside you, nothing external.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that you need to do whatever it takes to make you FEEL that something has changed. If you want a ceremony, then have a ceremony; if you want to read these words and commit to living a Buddhist life right now in front of the computer, that's just as acceptable. It's what YOU need.

On becoming a buddhist. I started following the New Kadampa lineage about 6 months ago. I chose that primarily because the temple is just down the street from my house, but it was a fortuitous choice, because its a good fit for me right now. As far as becoming a buddhist goes, I have been studying dharma and taking classes on dharma and it wasn't until I took the Bodhisatva Vows that I really felt like I could finally call myself a Buddhist. There was no secret initiation, the bodhisatva vows were just part of an empowerment service, but I felt like I had jumped a hurdle when we were finished. Now, I am a Buddhist. Hopefully I can be a good one. srlasky