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Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Alan Peto
Alan Peto hosts an informative and helpful podcast for anyone who is interested in Buddhism and beginning a Buddhist practice. Alan is a Buddhist layperson who explains Buddhism and Buddhist teachings for beginners and Westerners on his website. This podcast is aimed at helping those exploring Buddhism or new to Buddhism understand Buddhist teachings and practices.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday31 min
96 - Emotions & Buddhism
Emotions are, of course, part of being human. We experience emotions like anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness, frustration. But why do they feel so powerful? And why do they sometimes lead to suffering?In this episode, we explore emotions through the lens of Buddhism. The Buddha taught that our emotional life arises from causes and conditions (dependent origination), shaped by impermanence, craving, clinging, and the Three Fires (Poisons) of greed, hatred, and ignorance. When these forces are present, emotions can overwhelm us. When we understand them, they become 'workable'.We’ll look at how emotions form, how they intensify, and how karma creates emotional habits that repeat themselves. More importantly, we’ll explore how mindfulness, wisdom, compassion, and not‑self help us meet emotions with clarity instead of reactivity.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your feelings, this Buddhist perspective may bring insight, relief, and a sense of peace.Note: This episode is not medical advice, but instead only about the Buddhist religious understanding and teachings about emotions. You should always consult with a qualified medical professional.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- 2 weeks ago42 min
95 - What is Suffering (Dukkha) in Buddhism
Why do we suffer? Why does life feel painful, stressful, or disappointing even when things seem to be going well? In this episode, we explore suffering from a practical Buddhist perspective not as a concept, but as a lived human experience. Sometimes referred to as 'suffering' in the West, 'Dukkha' has a much deeper range and significance. Drawing from the Buddha’s core insights into impermanence, dependent origination, the Three Poisons/Fires, karma, and rebirth, we look at how suffering arises, why we add extra layers of pain through craving and clinging, and what the Buddhist path offers as a way to understand and transform it.This episode is not a repeat of our discussion on dukkha. Instead, it’s a grounded, compassionate look at the reality of suffering and the hope the Buddha offered: suffering has causes, and those causes can be understood and released.Read the Article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-dukkha/Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- Aug 21, 202633 min
94 - Engaged Buddhism
"Engaged Buddhism" is Buddhism lived in the world through compassion in action, wisdom applied to real life, and mindfulness extended beyond the meditation cushion!In this episode, we explore how Engaged Buddhism developed from the Buddha’s own teachings and practices 2,600 years ago, and then through the reform movement of Venerable Taixu and Humanistic Buddhism, to Thich Nhat Hanh’s modern mindfulness‑in‑action approach and the 14 Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing that were created during the Vietnam war. We also look at Master Hsing Yun’s global humanitarian work with Fo Guang Shan, showing how Engaged Buddhism can be both deeply personal and profoundly communal. This is a great episode if you have heard of 'Engaged Buddhism' before and are wondering how your Buddhist practice can help respond to suffering, support our communities, and live the Bodhisattva ideal in everyday life. 📖 Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/engaged-buddhism-buddhist/More about Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/biographyMore about Ven. Master Hsing Yun: https://hsingyun.org/bio/index.phpContact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- Jul 25, 20261h 11m
93 - Buddhism in 10 Steps (Audiobook Special Edition)
This episode is the full audiobook reading of my book Buddhism in 10 Steps. Many of you have already listened to the shorter podcast/video version, which offered a quick overview of the ten foundational steps. This episode is different — it’s the complete, long‑form narration of the actual book. If you prefer listening over reading, or you enjoy deeper, uninterrupted explanations, this audiobook version is for you. It walks through each step (topic) with more detail, context, and guidance than the condensed episode, making it a great companion for new Buddhists, curious listeners, or anyone wanting a clearer path into Buddhist practice.You can also find the book and eBook here: alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps/ or BuddhismStarterPack.comSettle in, relax, and enjoy the full journey through the ten steps.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- Jul 19, 202632 min
92 - Buddhist Symbols & Symbolism
In this episode, we explore the beautiful world of Buddhist symbols — the dragons, lotus flowers, prayer flags, mandalas, guardian lions, and more that fill temples and artwork across Asia. These symbols aren’t just decoration; they’re teaching tools that help us understand compassion, wisdom, karma, and enlightenment in simple, visual ways. If you’re new to Buddhism, this episode will give you a warm, accessible introduction to the Dharma you can see.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- May 29, 202629 min
91 - Was the Buddha Always a Buddha? (The Lotus Sutra's Chapter 16)
In this episode, we explore one of the most surprising teachings in the Lotus Sūtra: the idea that the Buddha didn’t become a Buddha under the Bodhi tree, but awakened countless ages ago. His birth, enlightenment, and even his passing are presented as skillful means and are compassionate appearances meant to guide us, not limits on who he is.This teaching reminds us that awakening / enlightenment isn’t distant or rare. It’s timeless, ever‑present, and something we can uncover in ourselves right now.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- May 1, 202642 min
90 - Science & Buddhism
Many Westerners are drawn to Buddhism because it feels rational, experiential, and compatible with science. But Buddhism also includes teachings—like karma, rebirth, and cosmology—that don’t fit neatly into a scientific framework. So how do these pieces fit together?In this episode, we explore why Western culture often wants Buddhism to be “scientific,” what the Buddha actually taught about direct experience in the Kālāma Sutta, and why Buddhism still includes a healthy form of confidence (saddhā) rather than blind belief. We also look at where Buddhism and science genuinely overlap, where they don’t, and how to approach teachings that can’t be tested in a laboratory.Using a clear analogy from medicine—where we often trust what works long before we understand how it works—we examine why unprovable teachings like rebirth aren’t dismissed in Buddhism, and why the tradition encourages open‑minded investigation rather than rigid belief or rigid skepticism.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
- Apr 17, 202640 min
89 - Chanting, Recitation, Mantras, and Dhāraṇīs in Buddhism
Chanting is one of the most widespread Buddhist practices, yet often one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we explore what chanting really is, how sound plays an important role in Buddhist practice, and how chanting developed from the early oral tradition.You’ll learn how chanting is used in both Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, what dhāraṇīs are (and why you’ve probably heard them before), and why traditional languages like Pāli and Sanskrit matter—even if you don’t understand every word. We’ll also look at popular chants across traditions and offer simple ways to start chanting, especially if you're hesitant or unsure.Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer
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About Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto
Alan Peto hosts an informative and helpful podcast for anyone who is interested in Buddhism and beginning a Buddhist practice. Alan is a Buddhist layperson who explains Buddhism and Buddhist teachings for beginners and Westerners on his website. This podcast is aimed at helping those exploring Buddhism or new to Buddhism understand Buddhist teachings and practices.
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