Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

Latest Episodes:

47 - Observance Days Practice in Buddhism Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

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

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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

46 - Daily Practice & Meditation - Interview with Bodhipaksa Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

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

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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

45 - Do You Have to Believe in Everything Buddhism Believes In? Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

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.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact

Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast

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

44 - Virtual Buddhism & Venerable Tri Dao Interview Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

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

43 - The Enemy of the Buddha - Mara Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

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.

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

42 - Buddhism During Difficult Times Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

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/

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

41 - Faith in Buddhism Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

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!

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

40 - Buddhist Holidays Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

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!

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
Get Alan's new book: "Daily Buddhist Practice Guide": https://alanpeto.com/books/daily-buddhist-practice-guide/

39 - Taking the Triple Gem Refuge (Becoming a Buddhist) Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

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.

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

Get Alan's new book: "Daily Buddhist Practice Guide": https://alanpeto.com/books/daily-buddhist-practice-guide/

38 - The Leadership of the Buddha Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

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/

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

Get Alan's new book: "Daily Buddhist Practice Guide": https://alanpeto.com/books/daily-buddhist-practice-guide/