Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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, looki...

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 wi...

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! Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal...

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. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact  Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-dis...

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 ke...

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...

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/buddhis...

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:...

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/ Ge...

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...

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...

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:...

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 hel...

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 beco...

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 - Practici...

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 chall...

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 breakin...

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 'wi...

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 b...

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...