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.

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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.

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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.

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The Buddha’s Last Teaching: Impermanence & Parinirvāṇa

In this episode, we explore one of the most meaningful and human moments in all of Buddhism: the Buddha’s final days, his final teachings, and what his parinirvāṇa (his final passing or 'final Nirvana') really means for us today.

We’ll walk through the Buddha’s last journey to Kuśinagara, the touching conversations he had with Ānanda, and the Saṅgha, and the powerful guidance he offered even while facing the end of his life. His final message, which is that all conditioned things are impermanent, and that we must strive with diligence, becomes a living reminder of how to practice right now, in our everyday lives.

You’ll also learn how Theravada and Mahayana understand parinirvāṇa.

For example, Theravāda emphasizes the historical Buddha’s final passing and the importance of the Dharma as our guide. In contrast, Mahāyāna adds the perspective of the Buddha’s three bodies (trikāya) and explains why awakened bodhisattvas attain nirvāṇa but choose not to enter parinirvāṇa, remaining in the world out of compassion for all beings.

This episode is both a teaching and a reflection. It's an invitation to look closely at impermanence, to appreciate the preciousness of this moment, and to carry the Buddha’s final encouragement into your own practice.

Contact Alan: ⁠alanpeto.com/contact⁠

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What is Buddhism? This podcast episode covers ten basic Buddhist concepts and also has a video! It's a companion to my book, Buddhism in 10 Steps, that I co-wrote with Buddhist monk Sanathavihari Bhikkhu.

I originally recorded this video for YouTube and thought it would be a great addition to the Learn Buddhism podcast. If you've been listening to all my episodes, some of this might sound familiar (and that's good!).

You can watch a VIDEO for this episode on Spotify, or if you are on another platform, check it out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cn9GlUomlzU?si=UaE96U-c6KPQP9r4.

You can also download the FREE eBook, Buddhism in 10 Steps, on my website by going to my Buddhism Starter Pack page! https://BuddhismStarterPack.com. Tell a friend!

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

0:32 What is Buddhism (1)

4:52 Who was the Buddha? (2)

7:47 What did the Buddha Teach? (3)

12:12 Four Noble Truths (4)

16:09 Noble Eightfold Path (5)

18:31 Dependent Origination (6)

22:02 Karma (7)

23:51 Not Self (8)

26:19 Rebirth (9)

28:49 Nirvana (10)

Get the Book: https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps or https://BuddhismStarterPack.com

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

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What do Buddhists believe happens after death? In this episode, we explore one of the most common and meaningful questions beginners ask about Buddhism. Rather than offering a single doctrine, Buddhism presents a clear process shaped by karma, mental habits, and the continuity of causes and conditions.

You’ll learn how different Buddhist traditions understand death, rebirth, and the transition between lives:

• Theravada: the importance of the final mind state, wholesome actions, and merit transfer
• Pure Land: the role of Amitābha Buddha, nianfo chanting, and rebirth in the Pure Land
• Ch’an/Zen: clarity, non‑attachment, and approaching death as another moment of practice
• Tibetan Buddhism: the bardo teachings, phowa, and rituals that guide consciousness

We also look at merit and merit dedication, why families generate merit for the deceased, and how these practices support a peaceful transition and favorable rebirth.

Whether you’re new to Buddhism or deepening your understanding, this episode offers a clear, compassionate guide to how Buddhists view death — and what these teachings reveal about living with wisdom and intention.

Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-reincarnation-rebirth/

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In this episode, we explore the Six Paramitas, the “perfections” that form the gradual training path of a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism.

From generosity and ethical discipline to patience, joyful effort, concentration, and wisdom, each Paramita is both a practice and an antidote to the obstacles that keep us bound to suffering.

We look at how the Paramitas align with the Eightfold Path, why Mahayana emphasizes them as the Bodhisattva’s toolkit, and how they embody the vow to liberate all beings before oneself. Along the way, we uncover what these perfections mean in daily life and how anyone can begin applying them, not as distant ideals but as practical steps toward compassion, clarity, and transformation.

By the end, you will see how the Six Paramitas offer a gradual, cumulative path, a way to cultivate enlightened qualities step by step while carrying others with you across the shore of liberation.

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Bodhisattvas can be found in both Theravada and Mahayana branches of Buddhism. In Mahayana they take on a larger role where practitioners take on the path of the Bodhisattva towards helping all sentient beings and make up a core reason that Mahayana exists. Learn more about Bodhisattvas (and learn about two big VIP Bodhisattvas) in this episode!

Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/bodhisattva-path/

Get my Bodhisattva graphic: https://alanpeto.com/graphics

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

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What did the Buddha become "awakened" to? It was the twelve links of dependent origination! This is one of the most important concepts and teachings in Buddhism because all our Buddhist traditions and practices arise from it (and to liberating ourselves from it).

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OCNnti-NAQ

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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One of the most popular and widely practiced forms of Buddhism revolves around "Pure Lands". The ever popular Western Pure Land and Buddha Amitabha are the ones most people practice in with Buddhism. Learn more about this important and popular Buddhist practice and tradition.

Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-cosmology/Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxZ-CoGk6Wk

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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