Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto: Recent Episodes
Alan Peto
Alan Peto hosts an informative and helpful podcast for anyone who is interested in Buddhism and beginning a Buddhist practice. Alan explains Buddhism and Buddhist teachings for beginners and westerners on his website, https://alanpeto.com, through articles, videos, infographics, and books.
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Learn Buddhist Mindfulness Breathing! Want to do breathing meditation like the Buddha? It's known as Ānāpānasati / Ānāpānasmṛti but is commonly referred to as "mindfulness of breathing". And it can be as straightforward as that. You are observing the breath without control, force, judgement, etc. While this sounds easy, your body has another agenda. You'll have thoughts, an itch, muscle aches, etc., to distract you. With practice, you will also observe these things, and just "let them go". While there are many different ways (and levels) to mindfulness of breathing, I'll give you a short and simple version here. Don't worry about trying to cover all these steps - just work on focusing on one spot on your body (such as the inside of your nostrils) and observe the breath going in and out, and your counting. That's it! With practice, and under the proper guidance of a teacher, this breathing meditation has many benefits to the development of meditative concentration, insight into conditioned phenomena, and much more!
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The Diamond Sutra is the 'diamond' or 'lightening bolt' that cuts through 'illusion' that helps us become enlightened. It is one of the most well respected sutras in all of Mahayana Buddhism and found practiced widely in Zen/Ch'an traditions. Learn more about it in this episode and how to apply it to your daily life and practice!
- Free eBook by Venerable Master Hsing Yun on the Diamond Sutra: https://www.fgsitc.org/wisdom-and-emptiness-of-the-diamond-sutra/
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I received so many questions related to Buddhism, I have another episode! Learn what I think about these questions!
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - How much time does it take to reach nirvana?
03:17 - How can I take the Triple Gem if there is no temple or master in my country - can I do it on my own?
05:33 - Can I be a Buddhist and also believe in God or Gods
08:14 - Is having a family encouraged? Is love for our children encouraged if all is sunyata?
11:21 - Who created the way kamma (karma) works? Who created the rules and places of reincarnation?
15:06 - Is the goal of Buddhism to have everyone become a monastic? Do you need to be one to attain nirvana?
18:16 - Is Amida (Amitabha) Buddha and the Pureland real?
22:56 - How practical are Buddha's teaching in today's world?
26:01 - Is it a must to have a Buddhist altar?
30:07 - Can you discuss what differentiates citta, manas, and vijnana, since they all tend to get translated as "mind"?
35:25 - What is different about Vajrayana? What are the three roots
41:51 - Explain mind only Buddhism.
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What is "Western Buddhism"? Practiced outside of Asia where Buddhism is traditionally practiced, Western countries have been adopting Buddhism, but often in different nuanced ways. Let's explore what Western Buddhism means, some misconceptions Westerners have about Buddhism, and how we can practice Buddhism authentically as Buddhists!
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Did you know the Buddha was once a baby? Learn about the Buddha's birth, and how we celebrate the Buddha's birthday in May!
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-birthday/
and
https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-mothers-day/
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Buddhist altars are an important part of Buddhist practice. Let's explore why they are important, what they do, how we build them, and where to place them.
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The most popular Bodhisattva is Avalokiteśvara (Guan Yin, Kannon, etc.). Because they are known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion and can be called upon, you see Avalokiteśvara as the one Bodhisattva that most Buddhists know and love. Get an introduction to this Bodhisattva in my latest episode!
- Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/bodhisattva-path/
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I'm answering YOUR questions about Buddhism in this episode! Recently I asked on my social media if anyone had questions about Buddhism and here are a few of those questions that I answered. Be on the lookout for me asking again or simply message me from my website.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Do Monastics Have a Better Chance at Nirvana Over Laypersons?
05:13 Buddhism and Vegetarian?
12:10 Westerners Focus on Vipassana [Meditation] Only?
16:55 Bodhisattvas Real?
24:34 Four Heavenly Kings Only in Chinese Buddhism?
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What did the Buddha "awaken" to 2,600 years ago? It was "Dependent Origination"! This teaching is so fundamental to Buddhism, that it is where all the other things we focus on, such as karma, rebirth, five aggregates/skandhas, not self, etc., come from.
Learn more about Dependent Origination in this episode!
- Get my FREE eBook on Buddhism (and check out the Dependent Origination chapter and chart in the book): https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps/
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Want to try something special for your Buddhist practice this year? Mix in a monthly focus that compliments your daily practice! Join me in incorporating the Threefold Training throughout the year and be exposed to different Buddhist practices.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 The Eightfold Path & Threefold Training
02:00 The 12 Month Plan
03:27 Wisdom
11:26 Conduct & Morality
19:00 Concentration
28:12 Conclusion
Get the 12 Month Practice Graphic: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhismGraphics
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Can a Western Buddhist participate in Western holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving? What about Buddhist or country specific holidays? Let's explore in this episode!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:05 Western Buddhism and Western holidays
00:30 should I engage in Western holidays?
01:22 finding Buddhism in western holidays
01:55 the path as a Buddhist with western holidays
03:15 Buddhist qualities, beliefs, ethics
04:00 engaging in the world as it is
06:07 going to church
08:40 doing complimentary activities
08:59 what about Thanksgiving or 4th of July?
11:54 you don't have to be the outlier
12:44 Buddhist and country/culture specific holidays
16:25 Conclusion
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How can you, as a lay-Buddhist, "be like The Buddha" in your daily life? Here are my five observations about the Buddha and his life that we can incorporate into our life!
00:00 - Introduction
05:00 - Mindfulness
10:18 - Generosity
13:08 - Precepts
18:00 - Compassion
21:22 - Concentration
25:18 - Conclusion
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Did you know the Buddha was "super"? He had supernatural and supranormal abilities. But this was something he didn't see as central to Buddhism, but as a consequence of meditative concentration. Yet, it is a key part of skillful means in Buddhism where the Buddha (and also Buddhas and Bodhisattvas) used these abilities in many ways to aid others with the path in Buddhism and achieving liberation. Learn in this episode why these abilities are important and what they mean to Buddhism!Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alanpeto/message
The most chanted, studied, and copied sutra in the Buddhist world is the Heart Sutra. Found in most traditions that follow Mahayana Buddhism (the path of the Bodhisattva) chant this sutra daily. It teaches the profound nature of Prajna or supreme wisdom into the nature of "emptiness" and the teaching of not-self so that fear is ended, enlightenment achieved, and Nirvana realized.
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Mahayana Buddhism makes up the largest branch of Buddhism, and they follow the "Bodhisattva Path". What is that and why is it so important to them? A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being that practices for themselves and others and makes great vows to eventually become a Buddha. It provided a way for all people, not just monastics, to actively progress on the Buddhist path.
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-hard-times/
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Impermanence in Buddhism is so important and central to our practice that we can't ignore it. However, it is also a very hard concept to understand. The Buddha essentially said that all conditioned things (that includes you and me) are every changing, impermanent, and interdependent on other things to exist. Because our existence is temporary in nature, thus impermanence, it is of the nature to be dukkha or suffering. This continual forced rebirth is the problem. But, when we fundamentally understand impermanence and our impermanent nature (and that of other things) we can be freed from the Three Fires/Poisons that create karma, force continued rebirth. Then can we reside in our true state of Nirvana and no longer have forced rebirth - breaking the cycle.
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Do Buddhists "repent"? Yes! And it's not what you think. Repentance in Buddhism is a fundamental part of Buddhist practice because it helps us "get out" the misdeed/transgression of the five precepts we created so that we can understand why, ask for help, and set an aspiration of action and cultivation of good deeds. This is important because morality/conduct is part of the Buddha's teachings and essential for enlightenment. As human beings, we sometimes go "off the path" in Buddhism and as we repent, we make ourselves aware of that so we can prevent it in the future. It's a wholesome practice that is firmly rooted in Buddhism.
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Check out episode three (3) of this podcast for the first part! In this new episode, I talk about more misconceptions you may have heard about Buddhism in the West. Here are the misconceptions covered in this episode: "The Buddha was just a regular guy", "There are no gods in Buddhism", "The Pali Canon in Theravada is the oldest", "Zen is not part of Mahayana", and "There is only one Buddha".
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One of the most important teachings in Buddhism is that of the "Three Fires" or "Three Poisons" of greed, anger, and ignorance. Why? Because it is the cause of our unwholesome karma keeps us trapped in the cycle of rebirth, which the Buddha said is Dukkha ("suffering"). The absence of the Three Fires is Nirvana...our true natural state and the goal of all Buddhists. Learn more in this episode!
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Hundreds of millions of Buddhist pray. But why? And more importantly, why should you pray as part of your Buddhist practice?Prayer in Buddhism is not the same as in other religions where you might be praying to a creator God or other being to have forgiveness, worship, or help. Instead, Buddhist prayer has many components and uses, one of which is showing devotion, respect, love, and reverence for our enlightened teacher(s) such as a Buddha or Bodhisattva. Just as if we were in front of the Buddha 2,600 years ago, prayer connects us at a deeper level with our teachers, and with the Buddhanature that is within us. If done sincerely and consistently, prayer can be a welcomed and important part of your Buddhist practice that helps transform your karma and build morality/conduct, gain wisdom, and is a concentration practice.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alanpeto/message
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is capturing everyone's attention at the moment. From ChatGPT to Microsoft's Bing chat and Co-Pilot, to Google Bard. It can seemingly be like talking to a real person who then gives you answers or helps you with things. But can AI ever become a sentient being and become enlightened, or become a Buddha? "Does AI have Buddha nature?!". I explore that question in this episode and my opinion on it. I'll also talk about what AI could possibly do for us in Buddhism - if used correctly.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alanpeto/message
Buddhist practice isn't confined to a daily practice or going to the temple. There are "Observance Days" in numerous traditions where lay-Buddhists engage in practices that align themselves more with the monastic lifestyle and advance their development. This includes taking the Eight Precepts, vegetarian meals, or even fasting. Learn why Buddhists engage in Observance Days and what it means!
Alan's Daily Buddhist Practice Guide on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LTxbE8
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I've known meditation teacher Bodhipaksa for several years. He was one of the first to use the internet when it was "new" to teach others about meditation when there wasn't a group or temple nearby. He has also spread knowledge about what the Buddha really said (by dispelling fake Buddha quotes online). With his latest book release, I interviewed him in this episode to help you learn more about mantras, recitations/chanting, visualization, meditation, and some interesting insights about the Buddha and meditation!
- Bodhipaksa's New Book "A Year of Buddha's Wisdom - Daily Meditations and Mantras to Stay Calm and Self-Aware (A Year of Daily Reflections)": https://amzn.to/403J1Qo (Amazon affiliate link)
- Bodhipaksa's "Wildmind" Online Website (Meditation): https://www.wildmind.org/
- Bodhipaksa's "Fake Buddha Quotes" Website: https://fakebuddhaquotes.com/
- Bodhipaksa on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/bodhipaksa
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If you are new to Buddhism, there are plenty of things in Buddhism that make you question if it is real or not. But they are clearly part of the religion. And, different traditions may have various beliefs. So, do you need to believe in everything "Buddhism" believes in? This is one of the most asked questions and concerns for Westerners coming into Buddhism. As I'll talk about in this episode, it's OK to not believe in everything right away, but please be respectful. We don't always understand everything (and often how they help you understand Buddhist concepts and develop!), and that's OK! Being OK with not knowing and understanding everything right away can be challenging, but an important part of engaging with the religion.
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How do you practice Buddhism when there is no Buddhist temple or monastics where you live? Can technology and "virtual" Buddhism be an option? In this episode, I talked with Venerable Tri Dao, a Buddhist monk in the Theravada tradition who has over a million followers on TikTok, and tens of thousands on Instagram and other social media. Since Venerable Tri Dao is actively using technology to spread the Buddhist teachings in a way that is understandable, we can explore how "Virtual Buddhism" can be an option, and what is needed to practice that way.
- If you would like to learn more about Venerable Tri Dao and follow him: https://linktr.ee/TriDaomonk
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Before Siddhartha was enlightened and became the Buddha, he had to face the demon Mara and his army. While Mara doesn't get talked about all the time in Buddhism, he is all around us trying to make us create the unwholesome karma that keeps us trapped in rebirth/samsara. Mara is also an analogy for our obstacles in Buddhism and for the Three Fires/Poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. When we "defeat" Mara, we also end the Three Fires/Poisons and realize Nirvana!
In this episode, learn more about Mara, his encounters with the Buddha, and what he means for our Buddhist practice.
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When challenging and difficult times happen in your life, are you able to continue your Buddhist practice? What does it mean to practice Buddhism during these times, and what practices may be helpful? In this episode, we will talk about the "storms" that can come into our lives, what we as Buddhists do for our practice, and why continuing on the path in Buddhism is important.
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-hard-times/
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Do you need to have blind faith in Buddhism? Faith in things you can't prove such as karma, rebirth, samsara, etc.? This is one of the most often-asked questions (and concerns) about Westerners exploring or entering Buddhism for the first time. The short answer is that we have faith in Buddhism, but it isn't what you expect. However, faith is a crucial component of the path in Buddhism in order to make progress and understand why we practice. Learn more in this episode!
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There are many Buddhist holidays, but what are they and what do they mean to you?
Buddhist holidays serve a few purposes, which include getting Buddhists together (Dharma Friends), engaging with monastics, visiting the temple, practicing the religion (chanting, recitation, sutra writing, etc.), engaging in additional practices, and reinvigorating your faith in the Buddhist path.
- Learn more about Buddhist holidays in my article here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-holidays-calendar/
- Get my Buddhist Calendar for a small donation here: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhismGraphics
Thank you for listening!
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When you are ready to become a Buddhist, you "officially" become one by taking the Triple Gem Refuge. But what does this mean and why is it important? Can you take the Triple Gem Refuge from home? What's the purpose of becoming a Buddhist? I'll talk about these topics and more in this episode!
Suppose you're ready to become a Buddhist and don't have a temple nearby. In that case, you can take the Triple Gem at home by saying "I take refuge in the Buddha (our teacher), I take refuge in the Dharma (the Buddha's liberating teachings), I take refuge in the Sangha (monastic community)".
- Want to take the Triple Gem with a Buddhist monk? Check out my latest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuJ8FRKSGIg
- Learn more about the Triple Gem with my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx9uswNwntk&t=0s and article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/triple-gem-refuge/
- How to Become a Buddhist for Westerners: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/become-a-buddhist/
- Did you become a Buddhist and take the Triple Gem? I'd like to hear about your experience! Connect with me on social media.
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Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps
Get Alan's new book: "Daily Buddhist Practice Guide": https://alanpeto.com/books/daily-buddhist-practice-guide/
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We often think of the Buddha as the founder of the Buddhist religion in our era. But he was also a leader. The Buddha had to manage, supervise, organize, inspire, and delegate to get a community started, rules to organize the monastics, talk with everyone from kings to farmers, and do this all in a way that everyone could understand.
If you want to develop your leadership skills, looking to the Buddha can be a great source of inspiration. Or, if you're just interested in this often-unseen aspect of the Buddha, you'll get an overview in this episode.
Read the Article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-leadership-lessons/
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What are we trying to end in Buddhism? The Three Fires of greed, anger, and ignorance result in karmic actions that trap us in rebirth and dukkha (suffering). But how did we get here in the first place? What "fuels" those three fires? It's Upadana. Literally "fuel", but often translated as "attachment". This is where we cling and attach to sense objects with our sense organs (we see something we like through our eyes for instance, and that gives rise to our mind/consciousness). When we guard our senses and tame our mind, we cut off the fuel to the three fires which is nirvana...our true mental state of freedom.
Also, in this episode I'll read the Fire Sermon (13 minutes into the episode) which gives context to Upadana and the Three Fires.
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What is the practice of Mahayana Buddhists? From Zen to Pure Land, Mahayana Buddhists strive to perfect the Six Perfections or "Paramitas". These are the qualities and virtues of the true nature of an enlightened being like a Buddha or Bodhisattva. Learn what they are and how to apply them to your practice!
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Buddhism has something called the "Five Hindrances" which are mental obstructions on our path towards enlightenment and Nirvana. In this episode, we will talk about Buddhist meditation, our mind, and how the Five Hindrances are like obstacles on the road and some common Buddhist ways to overcome them.
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A common misconception is that Buddhism believes in “reincarnation” where a permanent and unchanging “self” or “soul” transmigrates to a new body or existence. The Buddha firmly rejected this. In Buddhism, the focus on “karma,” and generating wholesome karma, is related to rebirth. The reason Buddhists want to achieve enlightenment and realize Nirvāṇa is to stop creating the types of karma that keep them trapped so they can end the cycle of birth and death known as Saṃsāra. Learn about rebirth in Buddhism in this episode! Read about rebirth in my article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-reincarnation-rebirth/ And in my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYmp3LjvSFE
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Regardless of tradition or branch, the half-billion Buddhists around the world practice something called devotional Buddhism. This is based on faith and refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), and not on blind faith. This foundational way to practice Buddhism provides a balanced approach on the path towards enlightenment that can be traced all the way back to the time of the Buddha 2,600 years ago! In this episode, you'll learn why we have Buddha statues, why there is bowing and prostrating, and why you should give devotional Buddhism a chance.
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Mahayana makes up the second branch of Buddhism in our world today and is practiced in the East-Asian and Central-Asian countries. Mahayanists follow the "Bodhisattva Path" that leads to the full awakening of Buddhahood. This Mahayana Path allows anyone, even laypersons, to achieve enlightenment without having to take a path of a monastic.
Learn more in the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-mahayana-theravada/ About Buddhist scriptures: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-scriptures/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fv0N9-iDN4 Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer/ Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps
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The first in a series of episodes on the branches and traditions of Buddhism, we will explore Theravāda Buddhism. How did this school emerge? Did it ever read Mahayana sutras? What is the school of thought and guiding practice? Come explore in this episode!
- Learn more in the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-mahayana-theravada/
- About Buddhist scriptures: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-scriptures/
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fv0N9-iDN4
- Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
- Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer/
- Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps
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What is a Buddhist temple and how do you attend services in one? In this episode, I'll talk about why we have Buddhist temples, how to find one, some examples of etiquette when going to one, the general layout and structure of a temple, and what to do if there is no temple near you. Contact Alan: https://alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Disclaimer: https://alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer/ Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps
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One of the most popular and widely practiced forms of Buddhism is "Pure Land". This practice is found throughout East-Asia and Central-Asia (Mahayana) and is part of the daily practice of a large number of Buddhists. But what does this mean for a Westerner? Often, Pure Land Buddhism can look very devotional or faith-based, and there is that aspect. It is one of many "Dharma doors" that leads to enlightenment by providing an expedient "training ground" to help anyone who wants to go there. Learn about this fascinating and powerful Buddhist practice.
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Buddhism has a rich and vast cosmology that can sometimes be overlooked or disregarded by Westerners. However, this cosmology is central to the half-billion Buddhists around the world and shapes the desire and effort they have in practicing Buddhism. Learn about the six realms of rebirth, units of time (kalpas), and pure lands in this new episode.
Learn more about Buddhist cosmology in my article here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-cosmology/
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The free eBook, Buddhism in 10 Steps, was written by Alan Peto and Buddhist Monk Sanathavihari Bhikkhu to help those new to Buddhism get a 'quick start' with a short and easy to read book. In this episode, Alan discusses some topics from the book, and Buddhism in general, with Sanathavihari. Sanathavihari’s websites and social media: https://linktr.ee/sanathaviharibhikkhu To get the book, visit: https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps/ (available as a free eBook or a paperback on Amazon). Contact Alan: https://alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Disclaimer: https://alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer/
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Did you know that the Buddha actually had two mothers? His mother, Maya, passed away just a few days after he was born. His aunt became his stepmother and raised him as her own. At a basic level, this doesn't speak much about Buddhism until you realize how important these two women were. One gave birth to the Buddha of our era (in a very supernatural way), and the other helped create the conditions for young Siddhartha to eventually become the Buddha. And his stepmother would be the one that pushed for female monastics (and became the first nun). Learn more in this Mother's Day episode to two amazing mothers of the Buddha.
Read the Article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-mothers-day/
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Easter is celebrated by Christians around the world. But does Buddhism have a similar resurrection story? Yes and no. While Jesus and the Buddha were two different people, religions, and paths, we can find some similarities between their stories and "resurrection".
Read the article here:https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-easter/
In order for Siddhartha Gautama to become the Buddha, his belief in “self” needed to die. When this occurred, his true natural state of Nirvana was resurrected.
Nirvana is within all of us, but we fail to see it. Siddhartha's enlightenment is celebrated by Buddhists as an inspiration for us to continue our efforts towards that same goal.
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If you live in a country where Buddhism is not the major religion, it can be overwhelming to begin with for many. However, if you just follow three straightforward steps you can correctly begin your journey in the religion!
Get our FREE eBook, Buddhism in 10 Steps, to start off your journey! Get it here: alanpeto.com/books
Episode Time Bookmarks:
1:25 - Understanding Buddhism
8:05 - Practicing Buddhism
18:00 - Triple Gem Refuge (Becoming a Buddhist)
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When challenging times happen to us, we can easily become overwhelmed with the situation. While we are following the advice of professionals during these times, we can sometimes lose our Buddhist practice. We may feel that there isn't a way to practice Buddhism, or perhaps it is the furthest thing from your mind.
As Buddhists, we can and should practice Buddhism even during these challenging times. In this episode, I'll explain three parts to continue practicing: Faith, Effort, and an adaptive Practice to meet the needs of the situation.
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-hard-times/
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One of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha is that we do not have a permanent, unchanging, and independent "self". However, we believe we do have such a "self", and as a result, we engage in karmic actions that trap us in the cycle of rebirth, which means continual rebecoming in new existences, which is suffering because they are impermanent. Buddhist practice is focused on breaking down this illusionary belief in a self so we can encounter our true self and existence which is impermanent, ever-changing, and interdependent on other phenomena. When we do this, we can live in our natural state of Nirvana free of the Three Fires/Poisons of ignorance, greed, and anger.
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Karma can be a misunderstood term in our world since it has crept into our everyday conversations with "good karma" and "bad karma". But for Buddhists, it is an important part of the religion because it is something one wants to both transform, and ultimately end creating karma that keeps them bound to the cycle of rebirth. Enlightened beings, such as the Buddha, created Karma 'without outflows' meaning it is the karma of an enlightened being who is no longer creating karmic actions that are unskillful and reinforcing (and binding) the false idea of a permanent 'self'. Instead, it is karma where one has a clear and fundamental understanding of the world and how to properly interact in it.
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The "Threefold Training" is based upon the Buddha's Eightfold Path to practice Buddhism that leads to enlightenment and Nirvana. It is the way to end the Three Fires of greed, anger, and ignorance/delusion which would then lead to your true state of Nirvana (which is devoid of the Three Fires). The Threefold Training is practiced by the different Buddhist traditions in different ways but can ultimately be found in all the different practices, rituals, ceremonies, and other things found within them.
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The world-famous Buddhist monk Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh passed away in January 2022 at the age of 95. He left behind a legacy of monasteries, local groups, books, and millions of followers. In this episode, I'd like to reflect on what I feel is some of his key teachings and some things that are often overlooked by Westerners about him. If you are new to him and would like a book recommendation, "The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings" (https://amzn.to/3rDtSGJ) is one of his most popular introductory books on Buddhism. The other book I mentioned in this podcast about Pure Land Buddhism is called "Finding Our True Home" (https://amzn.to/3slw4Sg).
Read my article on Thich Nhat Hanh: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/thich-nhat-hanh-life-lessons/
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As an Amazon Associate, the link to the books above is on Amazon and provides Alan a small commission if you choose to purchase. This does not affect the price to you.
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The Buddha taught that our existence is marked by impermanence, dukkha, and the illusion of self. He wasn't telling us this to make us sad, but to spur us into action. The only permanent thing is "impermanence", but we fail to utterly understand that, and along with the belief we have a permanent, unchanging, and independent "self", we create the actions (Karma) that trap us in the cycle of rebirth which is - you guessed it - dukkha ("suffering"). Through his teachings, he helps us break down the belief in "self", understand impermanence and dependent origination, which helps us change our Karmic actions to ones that don't bind us in rebirth, helps us realize our true peaceful state of Nirvana, and allows us to end Dukkha and the cycle of rebirth.
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The most widely practiced form of Buddhism is the cultivation of merit. Merit creates the wholesome conditions that are conducive to the Buddha's path towards enlightenment. Because enlightenment is often not possible in our lifetime and is difficult for laypersons, the Buddha created the practice of merit to help create these future conditions. It is practiced both by laypersons and monastics as a mutually beneficial and symbiotic practice. While this practice is often not known or practiced by Westerners, it is one that is within the Buddhist teachings, scripture, and is a wonderful way to progress on the path.
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With a new year upon us, it can be a perfect time to reflect upon why we are Buddhists and re-invigorating our determination and effort to practice. The Eightfold Path, and the Threefold Training that derives from it, provide us the foundation to practice Buddhism so that we can liberate ourselves from the unsatisfactoriness (Dukkha) of the cycle of rebirth (Samsara) by realizing our true mental state of Nirvana.
Read the article here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-mind/
And learn about Buddhist practice here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/daily-buddhist-practice/
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Merry Christmas! Can a Buddhist celebrate Christmas? Yes, with a Buddhist mindset. Learn how Buddhists can demonstrate the shared values of peace, love, kindness, compassion, and charity, and allow it to fill your heart and mind.
Alan's Buddhism and Christmas articles and videos: https://alanpeto.com/tag/christmas/
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Enlightenment captures the imagination of Westerners and beginners that are new to Buddhism. But what exactly is "enlightenment" or "awakening" in Buddhism, and what does it mean to you as a practitioner? Learn about "Bodhi" in Buddhism, why it's important, and why becoming enlightened in this life won't happen (but that doesn't mean you aren't making progress!). Learn more in my article and video: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-enlightenment/
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The Mahayana Buddhist holiday of "Bodhi Day" celebrates the Buddha's enlightenment. Bodhi, meaning awakened or enlightened, is the goal of all Buddhists so they can emulate what the Buddha achieved: cutting through delusion and ignorance, realizing the truth, becoming enlightened (Bodhi), blowing out the three fires of greed, anger, and delusion, which then allows us to reside in our true, peaceful, calm, natural state of Nirvana. Learn how we celebrate this holiday from a Western perspective to including how to repurpose a Christmas tree and lights into a "Bodhi Tree"!
Learn more in my article and videos here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/bodhi-day/
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What is "Gratitude" in Buddhism and what does it have to do with Thanksgiving? Learn more about how gratitude is a tool and antidote to greed (one of the Three Fires in Buddhism), and how a Buddhist can participate in the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
For this week only (11/20/21 through 11/26/21) you can get my Buddhist Thanksgiving Prayer poster for free here: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhistThanksgiving/9p3c2q2
Learn more about Buddhist Gratitude and Thanksgiving in my article here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-thanksgiving-gratitude/ and video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d2D6TO-gUI
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With Halloween approaching, let's talk about our version of "ghosts" in Buddhism called "hungry ghosts". These are beings in one of the realms of rebirth where they are constantly craving, and can't be satisfied. Instead of fearing these ghosts, Buddhists practice compassion towards them through many festivals and ceremonies hoping they can hear and find the Buddha's teachings towards liberation.
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Precepts in Buddhism are the foundation for the rest of your Buddhist practice of meditative concentration and wisdom. Learn about why and how the precepts are very important to your Buddhist practice, what the Five Precepts consist of and how they relate to the Eightfold Path, additional precepts you can take, and more.
View an Infographic regarding the precepts on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVS4aqyFNta/
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Becoming a Buddhist monastic (monk or nun) is often a desire by Westerners new to the religion instead of staying a layperson. But should you? What does it entail? And, can you have a complete Buddhist experience as a layperson?
This episode's guest is Bhante Sanathavihari who is a Mexican American Theravada Buddhist monk from the Sarathchandra Buddhist Center in North Hollywood, California, and shares his experiences and insights. This was a Zoom video session which you can watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr3HYG0GzIU
Join Alan and Sanathavihari Bhikkhu as we discuss this topic in the video!
Send in a comment if you have any questions about the layperson or monastic life in Buddhism!
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What is Buddhist meditation? How do you start meditating? In this episode, we will discuss how Buddhist meditation is different than the meditation you'll find in everyday life, and how to start practicing. Learn more in Alan's article here and see an infographic: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/learn-meditation-home/
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As the COVID-19 pandemic changes, lockdowns, and other restrictions ending, how does a Buddhist reintegrate back into a changing world? A world that has changed due to the causes and conditions of the pandemic is different from the one we left. Just like a Buddhist monk returning to a village after meditating in the forest for a long time, we must also be mindful of the changes that occurred to society - and us - while we were away.
Our new book, "Returning Home", is a follow-up and companion to our original book, "The 14-Day Buddhist Daily Planner for the COVID-19 Pandemic". It is designed to help Buddhists with "reintegrating" back into a changed world and society that has been shaped by not only the pandemic, but our changed experiences and that of others. As we return to places, people, and experiences we may find them different than we left them, and that is where this new 7-day practice aligned with the Buddhist teachings comes in.
In this podcast, I will go over some portions of the eBook.
- Get the FREE eBook + Extras: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhistReturningHome
- You can also get our prior eBook here: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhistPlannerCOVID
- Listen to Sanathavihari Bhikkhu's daily meditation sessions for Returning Home on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1x0eKScnoo
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The foundation of the Buddhist religion and Buddhist practice revolves around the Buddha's very first sermon where he told of the Four Truths and the Eightfold Path towards liberation (Nirvana). But what is this all about? What does it mean to you? And is there a map? Find out in this episode!
Learn more on my website: Four Noble Truths (https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/four-noble-truths/) & Noble Eightfold Path (https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-eightfold-path/)
View my Podcast main page: https://alanpeto.com/podcast
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Who was the Buddha? And why is he important to your Buddhist practice? In this episode, I will talk about the life of Shakyamuni Buddha (the Buddha of our era), some misconceptions about him and his life, and why his story is so crucial to our practice.
Want to learn more? Read: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-quick-intro/
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What is a "Buddhist"? In this episode, we will take a deeper dive into the two types of Buddhists, how to become a Buddhist, what Buddhist laypersons do, some misconceptions laypersons have about being a Buddhist, and ways to have a fulfilling Buddhist life as a layperson.
Ready to become a Buddhist? Learn more in my article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/become-a-buddhist/
View my Podcast main page: https://alanpeto.com/podcast
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There are many mistaken beliefs and views about Buddhism by beginners and Westerners. Let's take a look at five of the most common ones and a brief explanation of them!
Learn more in my article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-misconceptions/ or just head to my website at alanpeto.com and you'll see the article linked there. You can also watch a video for this topic on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVaMum5f398
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How do you start a daily Buddhist practice? For beginners, this can be challenging especially if you have not picked a Buddhist tradition to follow (and their practice). In this episode, I will explain how to start a daily practice that is rooted in the different Buddhist traditions but simple enough for beginners to follow.
You can read more about a daily practice in my article here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/daily-buddhist-practice/ and watch my video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89gM2g0KOYU
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Buddhism is a worldwide religion based on the insight and teachings of the Buddha of our current era, known as Shakyamuni Buddha (commonly called “The Buddha”). But what exactly is "Buddhism"? In this episode, I start off my podcast series by giving you a high-level overview of Buddhism and why it is so empowering to us as humans. We will cover Dependent Origination, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma, and Rebirth.
You can also read my companion article "Introduction to Buddhism" on my website: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-quick-intro/
Do you have any questions or feedback about this episode? I would like to hear from you! Contact me at https://alanpeto.com/contact
Audio updated in November 2021.
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If you are interested in Buddhism and live in a Western country, but confused by all the confusing words and concepts, this podcast is for you. I have been explaining Buddhism for years in my articles, videos, and infographics, and now taking to podcasts. What sets this apart is that I am not a Buddhist monastic or having some fancy title in front of my name. Instead, I am a Buddhist layperson - just like you. This allows me to help explain Buddhism in a way that "makes sense" and is relatable, while still holding true to the Buddhist teachings. This intro episode will tell you what to expect in the next few episodes, and what is coming up later. I want to hear from you: tell me what you are wanting to learn about Buddhism, what you are confused about, and what you want to get out of this podcast! Also, check out my articles and videos on my website and subscribe to me on your favorite social media platform: alanpeto.com. To learn more about me, visit: alanpeto.com/about
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