48 - Prayer in Buddhism

I'm answering your questions about Buddhism and Buddhist practice in this episode! I recently asked on social media what your questions are, and I got quite a few! This episode will be long due to the number of questions, but feel free to jump to a question if you'd like. Here are the questions: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Is the emptiness of self any different from the emptiness of objects in the world? And if all is empty, does restraint, compassion, or ethical virtue have any meaning? 08:00 Is having a negative view on Abrahamic religions bad karma or unwholesome? How does Buddhists view the catholic faith? 15:30 Is music used in meditation practices? 18:35 Buddhist guidance on manifestation. 22:35 How can we keep our practice up when our worldly life is taking so much time/energy. 26:13 Different types of meditation. I wanna know the difference between vipassana and such 32:58 Karma 36:20 Can you be a full Buddhist and not believe in reincarnation or other realms/divine beings? 47:07 How to handle attending a temple for the first time. 51:19 The differences in levels you can attain in Buddhism! 57:59 why do so many schools of Buddhism have deities, reincarnation, metaphysical stuff. when buddha refused to talk about afterlife as it was a distraction from the present and specifically said I'm not a deity --- Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

23 Dec 20241h 11min

Did the Buddha and Jesus know each other? Did Buddhism influence Jesus' ministry? Are there similarities between Buddhism and Christianity? You're likely to hear one or all of these in your study of Buddhism. In this episode, I'll explain whether Jesus ever heart of Buddhism, can you be a Buddhist and Christian, views Buddhists have on Christianity, and can we get along? Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-buddhist-christmas/ Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

13 Dec 202422min

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

2 Nov 202429min

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

27 Sep 202428min

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

18 Aug 202428min

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

9 Aug 202427min

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

19 Juli 202426min

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

12 Juli 202419min