In Buddha's time, it was very simple. The Buddha or his assistant teachers would just say: come and see for yourself. Then one becomes a Buddhist. In later time, there is a simple ceremony which is called 'taking the three refuges': taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha (The Triple Gem).

The Buddha personifies the ideal of total enlightenment. Dharma is the Buddha's teachings about the Law of Nature which encompasses ethical living, mindfulness and wisdom. The Sangha refers to the Orders of Buddhist monks and nuns who pass on the Buddha's teachings from generations to generations.