Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

Does Buddhism have a devil? Not exactly. But it does have Māra.

In the first of my "deep-dive" episodes, we explore some of the fascinating stories of Māra found in Buddhist scripture and tradition, from attempts to discourage the Buddha before awakening to encounters that continued long after enlightenment.

Through these stories, we’ll see Māra use temptation, fear, doubt, deception, distraction, and even attacks on the Buddha’s disciples. The Māra Saṃyutta alone contains 25 discourses featuring these encounters!

We’ll also explore the famous assault beneath the Bodhi Tree, Māra’s daughters, and what these stories can teach us about recognizing the “armies of Māra” in our own Buddhist practice.

Is Māra a supernatural being? A symbol for the obstacles to awakening? Or is the Buddhist understanding more nuanced than either explanation alone?

Let’s go directly into the stories and teachings to find out.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

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What if cats are actually secret Buddhist monks? My book, "The Buddhism Secrets of Cats" explores the [fictional?!] hidden world of Buddhist cats and their practices and beliefs. You will also learn some non-fiction information about Buddhism interwoven into the story. I'm excited to read my book for you in this episode!

You can also get the paperback on Amazon or the eBook on my website.

• ​Read my article that inspired the book: https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-secrets-of-cats/
• ​Learn more about the illustrated book here (and get the eBook and bonus graphics): https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-secrets-of-cats/
• ​Get the paperback on Amazon*: https://link.amazon/B0bOl5ceI

Chapters:

• ​00:00:01 Introduction
• ​00:00:30 Chapter 1 - Discovering the Secret Society
• ​00:05:57 Chapter 2 - Bodhipurrma the First Cat Monk
• ​00:10:37 Chapter 3 - The Purring Sutra
• ​00:19:12 Chapter 4 - Purrfectly Meditating
• ​00:23:57 Chapter 5 - The Suffering of the Half Empty Food Bowl
• ​00:27:31 Chapter 6 - Mu! or Meow?
• ​00:31:53 Chapter 7 - Enlightenment at the End of the Laser Pointer
• ​00:39:32 Chapter 8 - The Kitten Eightfold Path
• ​00:49:59 Chapter 9 - Rebirth in the Nine Cat Lives
• ​00:56:40 Chapter 10 - The Ten Kitten Herding Pictures
• ​01:06:18 Chapter 11 - Departing the Cave
• ​01:07:56 Epilogue
• ​01:11:39 Questions and Answers
• 01:17:05 Thank You for Listening and Copyright and Disclaimers

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• ​Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
• ​Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast
• ​Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

* Affiliate link

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This book is Copyright © 2020 by Alan Peto

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (including electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author. Requests for permission should be submitted online at https://alanpeto.com/contact

ISBN: 978-1-7354003-0-3 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-7354003-1-0 (PDF eBook)

ISBN: 978-1-7354003-2-7 (MOBI eBook)

ASIN: B08D7WQJKP (Kindle eBook)

This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any references or similarities to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Portions of this book are works of nonfiction related to Buddhism and Buddhist teachings and historical events. Although the author has made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author does not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

The Buddhism Secrets of Cats, characters, names, titles, and related indicia are trademarks of Alan Peto. All rights reserved.

First Edition July 2020

Published by Alan Peto

Visit the author’s website at https://alanpeto.com

View the author’s other books at https://alanpeto.com/books

Emotions are, of course, part of being human. We experience emotions like anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness, frustration. But why do they feel so powerful? And why do they sometimes lead to suffering?

In this episode, we explore emotions through the lens of Buddhism. The Buddha taught that our emotional life arises from causes and conditions (dependent origination), shaped by impermanence, craving, clinging, and the Three Fires (Poisons) of greed, hatred, and ignorance. When these forces are present, emotions can overwhelm us. When we understand them, they become 'workable'.

We’ll look at how emotions form, how they intensify, and how karma creates emotional habits that repeat themselves. More importantly, we’ll explore how mindfulness, wisdom, compassion, and not‑self help us meet emotions with clarity instead of reactivity.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your feelings, this Buddhist perspective may bring insight, relief, and a sense of peace.

Note: This episode is not medical advice, but instead only about the Buddhist religious understanding and teachings about emotions. You should always consult with a qualified medical professional.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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Why do we suffer? Why does life feel painful, stressful, or disappointing even when things seem to be going well? In this episode, we explore suffering from a practical Buddhist perspective not as a concept, but as a lived human experience. Sometimes referred to as 'suffering' in the West, 'Dukkha' has a much deeper range and significance.

Drawing from the Buddha’s core insights into impermanence, dependent origination, the Three Poisons/Fires, karma, and rebirth, we look at how suffering arises, why we add extra layers of pain through craving and clinging, and what the Buddhist path offers as a way to understand and transform it.

This episode is not a repeat of our discussion on dukkha. Instead, it’s a grounded, compassionate look at the reality of suffering and the hope the Buddha offered: suffering has causes, and those causes can be understood and released.

Read the Article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-dukkha/

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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"Engaged Buddhism" is Buddhism lived in the world through compassion in action, wisdom applied to real life, and mindfulness extended beyond the meditation cushion!

In this episode, we explore how Engaged Buddhism developed from the Buddha’s own teachings and practices 2,600 years ago, and then through the reform movement of Venerable Taixu and Humanistic Buddhism, to Thich Nhat Hanh’s modern mindfulness‑in‑action approach and the 14 Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing that were created during the Vietnam war.

We also look at Master Hsing Yun’s global humanitarian work with Fo Guang Shan, showing how Engaged Buddhism can be both deeply personal and profoundly communal.

This is a great episode if you have heard of 'Engaged Buddhism' before and are wondering how your Buddhist practice can help respond to suffering, support our communities, and live the Bodhisattva ideal in everyday life.

• 📖 Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/engaged-buddhism-buddhist/
• More about Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/biography
• More about Ven. Master Hsing Yun: https://hsingyun.org/bio/index.php
• Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
• Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast
• Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

This episode is the full audiobook reading of my book Buddhism in 10 Steps. Many of you have already listened to the shorter podcast/video version, which offered a quick overview of the ten foundational steps. This episode is different — it’s the complete, long‑form narration of the actual book.

If you prefer listening over reading, or you enjoy deeper, uninterrupted explanations, this audiobook version is for you. It walks through each step (topic) with more detail, context, and guidance than the condensed episode, making it a great companion for new Buddhists, curious listeners, or anyone wanting a clearer path into Buddhist practice.

You can also find the book and eBook here: alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps/ or BuddhismStarterPack.com

Settle in, relax, and enjoy the full journey through the ten steps!

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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In this episode, we explore the beautiful world of Buddhist symbols — the dragons, lotus flowers, prayer flags, mandalas, guardian lions, and more that fill temples and artwork across Asia. These symbols aren’t just decoration; they’re teaching tools that help us understand compassion, wisdom, karma, and enlightenment in simple, visual ways. If you’re new to Buddhism, this episode will give you a warm, accessible introduction to the Dharma you can see.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

In this episode, we explore one of the most surprising teachings in the Lotus Sūtra: the idea that the Buddha didn’t become a Buddha under the Bodhi tree, but awakened countless ages ago. His birth, enlightenment, and even his passing are presented as skillful means and are compassionate appearances meant to guide us, not limits on who he is.

This teaching reminds us that awakening / enlightenment isn’t distant or rare. It’s timeless, ever‑present, and something we can uncover in ourselves right now.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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Many Westerners are drawn to Buddhism because it feels rational, experiential, and compatible with science. But Buddhism also includes teachings—like karma, rebirth, and cosmology—that don’t fit neatly into a scientific framework. So how do these pieces fit together?

In this episode, we explore why Western culture often wants Buddhism to be “scientific,” what the Buddha actually taught about direct experience in the Kālāma Sutta, and why Buddhism still includes a healthy form of confidence (saddhā) rather than blind belief. We also look at where Buddhism and science genuinely overlap, where they don’t, and how to approach teachings that can’t be tested in a laboratory.

Using a clear analogy from medicine—where we often trust what works long before we understand how it works—we examine why unprovable teachings like rebirth aren’t dismissed in Buddhism, and why the tradition encourages open‑minded investigation rather than rigid belief or rigid skepticism.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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Chanting is one of the most widespread Buddhist practices, yet often one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we explore what chanting really is, how sound plays an important role in Buddhist practice, and how chanting developed from the early oral tradition.

You’ll learn how chanting is used in both Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, what dhāraṇīs are (and why you’ve probably heard them before), and why traditional languages like Pāli and Sanskrit matter—even if you don’t understand every word. We’ll also look at popular chants across traditions and offer simple ways to start chanting, especially if you're hesitant or unsure.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer