Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

Discover the deep roots of Zen Buddhism in our latest episode. We'll journey through its rich history and tackle common Western misconceptions. Explore the origins of Zen in Chan Buddhism, the profound practice of direct transmission, and the unique practices of chanting and reciting, threefold training, and delve into the dual practice of Chan/Zen and Pure Land. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

In this episode we delve into the Buddhist practice of guarding the six sense organs—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. Discover how mindful observation, reflection, and meditation can help prevent unwholesome states and cultivate wisdom. We’ll explore the differences in understanding and practices across various Buddhist traditions, and for practical tips on integrating these teachings into your daily life and transforming your sensory experiences into the right conditions for progress on the Buddhist path. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Two seemingly unrelated festivals have a Buddhist connection: The Hungry Ghosts Festival and the Ullambana Festival (also called Sangha Day). Both go back to the time of the Buddha where he gave instruction to one of his most revered disciples on how to help his mother who had passed away and was in the hungry ghosts realm. We celebrate today using the same instruction as the Buddha: support the sangha (monastic community) as way to generate and dedicate merit to our loved ones who have passed away and may be in the hungry ghosts realm. It also helps us built compassion, generosity/giving, and loving kindness - all key Buddhist qualities. Read the article:  https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/ullambana-hungry-ghosts/ ‎ Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Blessings are a beautiful and important part of Buddhism, but they can often be confused with merits. Learn about what blessings are, how they are invoked, and how to integrate into your Buddhist practice. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

The third installment of questions asked by you! - "How can I integrate the practice with my day-to-day life as a westerner?" - "Can I become a Buddhist if I drink or smoke socially?" - "How can you create karma with outflows?" - "Is it ok to mix Buddhist traditions, I was told it's best to stick to one, but I follow two." Have a question for a future episode? Or a topic? Reply to this podcast on Spotify, or send me a message on alanpeto.com, or via social media. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Buddhists have "virtues" they uphold on their path towards enlightenment and nirvana. What is wonderful about the virtues is that they are meant to be practiced and upheld in everyday life! Learn about nine (9) Buddhist virtues in this episode, why they are important, and how to practice them. Wisdom. Ethical Conduct Patience Generosity Loving-kindness (Metta) Compassion (Karuna) Sympathetic Joy (Muditā) Equanimity (Upekkhā) Diligence (Viriya ) Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

What are all the 'realms of rebirth' in Buddhism (and "Samsara" or the "Cycle of Rebirth")? And what do they mean to you as a layperson Buddhist practitioner? Are they real? Are they a state of mind? Let's explore! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 08:00 The Hell Realm 10:08 The Animal Realm 11:40 The Hungry Ghosts Realm 14:56 The Human Realm 19:11 The Titans or Asuras Realm 20:50 The Devas or Gods or Heavenly Realm 25:58 Are These Real or The State of Mind? 28:44 Motivation and Buddhist Practice 30:08 Conclusion Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Learn Buddhist Mindfulness Breathing! Want to do breathing meditation like the Buddha? It's known as Ānāpānasati / Ānāpānasmṛti but is commonly referred to as "mindfulness of breathing". And it can be as straightforward as that. (Jump to 17:20 minutes in this episode for the meditation session; view all the chapters below) You are observing the breath without control, force, judgement, etc. While this sounds easy, your body has another agenda. You'll have thoughts, an itch, muscle aches, etc., to distract you. With practice, you will also observe these things, and just "let them go". While there are many different ways (and levels) to mindfulness of breathing, I'll give you a short and simple version here. Don't worry about trying to cover all these steps - just work on focusing on one spot on your body (such as the inside of your nostrils) and observe the breath going in and out, and your counting. That's it! With practice, and under the proper guidance of a teacher, this breathing meditation has many benefits to the development of meditative concentration, insight into conditioned phenomena, and much more! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Purpose 01:15 Why Practice 03:30 How to Practice 05:29 Where to Focus 06:14 Think Like an Observer 07:35 Length of Practice 08:01 Distractions 08:58 Calming & Insight 09:30 Go Easy on Yourself 10:30 How to Breathe 11:25 How it Changes You 12:55 Pre-Meditation Tips 17:20 Meditation Session (Follow Along) 23:00 End of Meditation Session Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

The Diamond Sutra is the 'diamond' or 'lightening bolt' that cuts through 'illusion' that helps us become enlightened. It is one of the most well respected sutras in all of Mahayana Buddhism and found practiced widely in Zen/Ch'an traditions. Learn more about it in this episode and how to apply it to your daily life and practice! Free eBook by Venerable Master Hsing Yun on the Diamond Sutra: https://www.fgsitc.org/wisdom-and-emptiness-of-the-diamond-sutra/ Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

I received so many questions related to Buddhism, I have another episode! Learn what I think about these questions! Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:20 - How much time does it take to reach nirvana? 03:17 - How can I take the Triple Gem if there is no temple or master in my country - can I do it on my own? 05:33 - Can I be a Buddhist and also believe in God or Gods 08:14 - Is having a family encouraged? Is love for our children encouraged if all is sunyata? 11:21 - Who created the way kamma (karma) works? Who created the rules and places of reincarnation? 15:06 - Is the goal of Buddhism to have everyone become a monastic? Do you need to be one to attain nirvana? 18:16 - Is Amida (Amitabha) Buddha and the Pureland real? 22:56 - How practical are Buddha's teaching in today's world? 26:01 - Is it a must to have a Buddhist altar? 30:07 - Can you discuss what differentiates citta, manas, and vijnana, since they all tend to get translated as "mind"? 35:25 - What is different about Vajrayana? What are the three roots 41:51 - Explain mind only Buddhism. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

What is "Western Buddhism"? Practiced outside of Asia where Buddhism is traditionally practiced, Western countries have been adopting Buddhism, but often in different nuanced ways. Let's explore what Western Buddhism means, some misconceptions Westerners have about Buddhism, and how we can practice Buddhism authentically as Buddhists! Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Did you know the Buddha was once a baby? Learn about the Buddha's birth, and how we celebrate the Buddha's birthday in May! Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-birthday/ and https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddha-mothers-day/ Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Buddhist altars are an important part of Buddhist practice. Let's explore why they are important, what they do, how we build them, and where to place them. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

The most popular Bodhisattva is Avalokiteśvara (Guan Yin, Kannon, etc.). Because they are known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion and can be called upon, you see Avalokiteśvara as the one Bodhisattva that most Buddhists know and love. Get an introduction to this Bodhisattva in my latest episode! Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/bodhisattva-path/ Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

I'm answering YOUR questions about Buddhism in this episode! Recently I asked on my social media if anyone had questions about Buddhism and here are a few of those questions that I answered. Be on the lookout for me asking again or simply message me from my website. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Do Monastics Have a Better Chance at Nirvana Over Laypersons? 05:13 Buddhism and Vegetarian? 12:10 Westerners Focus on Vipassana [Meditation] Only? 16:55 Bodhisattvas Real? 24:34 Four Heavenly Kings Only in Chinese Buddhism? Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

What did the Buddha "awaken" to 2,600 years ago? It was "Dependent Origination"! This teaching is so fundamental to Buddhism, that it is where all the other things we focus on, such as karma, rebirth, five aggregates/skandhas, not self, etc., come from. Learn more about Dependent Origination in this episode! Get my FREE eBook on Buddhism (and check out the Dependent Origination chapter and chart in the book): https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps/ Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Want to try something special for your Buddhist practice this year? Mix in a monthly focus that compliments your daily practice! Join me in incorporating the Threefold Training throughout the year and be exposed to different Buddhist practices. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 The Eightfold Path & Threefold Training 02:00 The 12 Month Plan 03:27 Wisdom 11:26 Conduct & Morality 19:00 Concentration 28:12 Conclusion Get the 12 Month Practice Graphic: https://alanpeto.gumroad.com/l/BuddhismGraphics Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

Can a Western Buddhist participate in Western holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving? What about Buddhist or country specific holidays? Let's explore in this episode! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:05 Western Buddhism and Western holidays 00:30 should I engage in Western holidays? 01:22 finding Buddhism in western holidays 01:55 the path as a Buddhist with western holidays 03:15 Buddhist qualities, beliefs, ethics 04:00 engaging in the world as it is 06:07 going to church 08:40 doing complimentary activities 08:59 what about Thanksgiving or 4th of July? 11:54 you don't have to be the outlier 12:44 Buddhist and country/culture specific holidays 16:25 Conclusion Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

How can you, as a lay-Buddhist, "be like The Buddha" in your daily life? Here are my five observations about the Buddha and his life that we can incorporate into our life! 00:00 - Introduction 05:00 - Mindfulness 10:18 - Generosity 13:08 - Precepts 18:00 - Compassion 21:22 - Concentration 25:18 - Conclusion Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer/

Did you know the Buddha was "super"? He had supernatural and supranormal abilities. But this was something he didn't see as central to Buddhism, but as a consequence of meditative concentration. Yet, it is a key part of skillful means in Buddhism where the Buddha (and also Buddhas and Bodhisattvas) used these abilities in many ways to aid others with the path in Buddhism and achieving liberation. Learn in this episode why these abilities are important and what they mean to Buddhism! Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer