Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

Latest Episodes:

37 - Attachment (Upadana) in Buddhism and the Fire Sermon Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

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 with our sense organs (we see something we like through our eyes for instance, and that gives rise to our mind/consciousness). When we guard our senses and tame our mind, we cut off the fuel to the three fires which is nirvana...our true mental state of freedom.

Also, in this episode I'll read the Fire Sermon (13 minutes into the episode) which gives context to Upadana and the Three Fires.

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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/

36 - The Six Perfections (Paramitas) in Buddhist Practice Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

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!

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

Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps

35 - The Five Hindrances of Buddhist Meditation Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

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-disclaimer/

Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps

34 - Reincarnation in Buddhism? (Rebirth) Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

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 keep them trapped so they can end the cycle of birth and death known as Saṃsāra. Learn about rebirth in Buddhism in this episode! Read about rebirth in my article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-reincarnation-rebirth/ And in my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYmp3LjvSFE 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

33 - Devotional Buddhism Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

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 the Buddha 2,600 years ago! In this episode, you'll learn why we have Buddha statues, why there is bowing and prostrating, and why you should give devotional Buddhism a chance.

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

32 - Mahayana Buddhism Jun 29, 2022

Show notes

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/buddhism/understanding-mahayana-theravada/ About Buddhist scriptures: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-scriptures/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fv0N9-iDN4 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

31 - Theravada Buddhism Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

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: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-scriptures/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fv0N9-iDN4
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

30 - Buddhist Temples Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

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/ Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps

29 - Pure Land Buddhism & Amitābha Buddha Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

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" that leads to enlightenment by providing an expedient "training ground" to help anyone who wants to go there. Learn about this fascinating and powerful Buddhist practice.

Contact Alan: https://alanpeto.com/contact

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

Get Alan's free eBook "Buddhism in 10 Steps": https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps

28 - Buddhist Cosmology May 30, 2022

Show notes

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 my article here: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-cosmology/

Contact Alan: https://alanpeto.com/contact

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

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