Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

By Alan Peto

Religion & Spirituality Buddhism

What's Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto about?

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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47 - Observance Days Practi...

03.28.2023

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 ...

Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto episodes:

03.28.2023 47 - Observance Days Practice in Buddhism 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 ...
03.21.2023 46 - Daily Practice & Meditation - Interview with Bodhipaksa 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 ...
03.14.2023 45 - Do You Have to Believe in Everything Buddhism Believes In? 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 ...
02.20.2023 44 - Virtual Buddhism & Venerable Tri Dao Interview 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 ...
02.13.2023 43 - The Enemy of the Buddha - Mara 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 ...
01.30.2023 42 - Buddhism During Difficult Times 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 ...
01.09.2023 41 - Faith in Buddhism 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 ...
12.12.2022 40 - Buddhist Holidays 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, ...
11.08.2022 39 - Taking the Triple Gem Refuge (Becoming a Buddhist) 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 ...
10.10.2022 38 - The Leadership of the Buddha 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 ...
09.27.2022 37 - Attachment (Upadana) in Buddhism and the Fire Sermon 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" ...
09.19.2022 36 - The Six Perfections (Paramitas) in Buddhist Practice 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 ...
09.06.2022 35 - The Five Hindrances of Buddhist Meditation 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 ...
08.16.2022 34 - Reincarnation in Buddhism? (Rebirth) 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 ...
07.25.2022 33 - Devotional Buddhism 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 ...
06.29.2022 32 - Mahayana Buddhism 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 ...
06.20.2022 31 - Theravada Buddhism 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 ...
06.13.2022 30 - Buddhist Temples 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 ...
06.06.2022 29 - Pure Land Buddhism & Amitābha Buddha 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 ...
05.30.2022 28 - Buddhist Cosmology 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 ...
05.09.2022 27 - Buddhism in 10 Steps Book Interview with Buddhist Monk Sanathavihari Bhikkhu 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 ...
05.02.2022 26 - The Buddha's Mothers (Mother's Day Episode) 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 ...
04.17.2022 25 - A Buddhist Easter 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 ...
04.04.2022 24 - How to Start Off in Buddhism 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 ...
03.28.2022 23 - Buddhism During Difficult and Challenging Times 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 ...
03.14.2022 22 - Not-Self in Buddhism 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 ...
03.07.2022 21 - Karma in Buddhism 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 ...
02.28.2022 20 - The Buddhist Threefold Training 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 ...
02.05.2022 19 - Thich Nhat Hanh 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 ...
01.25.2022 18 - The Three Marks of Existence in Buddhism 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 ...
01.15.2022 17 - Merit Practice in Buddhism 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, ...
12.31.2021 16 - New Year, New Buddha Mind 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 ...
12.25.2021 15 - A Buddhist Christmas 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 ...
12.14.2021 14 - Enlightenment (Bodhi) in Buddhism 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, ...
12.08.2021 13 - Bodhi Day in Buddhism 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 ...
11.20.2021 12 - A Buddhist Thanksgiving & Gratitude 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 ...
10.28.2021 11 - Hungry Ghosts in Buddhism 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 ...
10.22.2021 10 - Buddhist Precepts 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 ...
10.08.2021 9 - Do You Want To Become a Buddhist Monk? 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? ...
09.06.2021 8 - Buddhist Meditation 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 ...
08.23.2021 7 - Returning Home - Buddhist Teachings for Returning to a Changed World After the COVID-19 Pandemic (eBook Special Edition) 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 ...
07.19.2021 6 - The Four Noble Truths & Noble Eightfold Path 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 ...
07.10.2021 5 - The Buddha 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 ...
06.30.2021 4 - What is a Buddhist? 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 ...
05.26.2021 3 - Five Common Misconceptions About Buddhism 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 ...
05.09.2021 2 - Daily Buddhist Practice for Beginners 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 ...
05.02.2021 1 - What is Buddhism? 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 ...
03.08.2021 3 - What the Buddha Discovered What did the Buddha discover at his enlightenment? What did he want to teach others? In this episode, I talk about what the Buddha discovered and how that shaped his entire teaching and the Buddhist religion. You can also read ...
02.14.2021 2 - Who Was the Buddha? Who was the Buddha? And was does "Buddha" mean? In this episode, I talk about the founder of the Buddhist religion, and why his life story is important to us as Buddhists. You can also read my companion article "Introduction ...
01.12.2021 Buddhist Practice: Day 14 - Impermanence Day (Special Episode & Series) Day 14: Impermanence Day "When death comes, neither parents, children, nor kin can protect one." ~ The Buddha (Dhammapada 288) After 14 days, you are finally here: “Impermanence Day”. Everything ends, and nothing lasts forever. But also, nothing is ever ...

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