48 - Prayer in Buddhism

48 - Prayer in Buddhism

Author: Alan Peto April 17, 2023 Duration: 28:00
Hundreds of millions of Buddhist pray. But why? And more importantly, why should you pray as part of your Buddhist practice? Prayer in Buddhism is not the same as in other religions where you might be praying to a creator God or other being to have forgiveness, worship, or help. Instead, Buddhist prayer has many components and uses, one of which is showing devotion, respect, love, and reverence for our enlightened teacher(s) such as a Buddha or Bodhisattva. Just as if we were in front of the Buddha 2,600 years ago, prayer connects us at a deeper level with our teachers, and with the Buddhanature that is within us. If done sincerely and consistently, prayer can be a welcomed and important part of your Buddhist practice that helps transform your karma and build morality/conduct, gain wisdom, and is a concentration practice. Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

If you've ever felt curious about Buddhism but found traditional texts or teachings a bit daunting, you're not alone. Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto offers a grounded, accessible path into this ancient tradition. Alan, a dedicated Buddhist layperson, acts as a friendly guide, translating core principles and practices into language that resonates with modern, especially Western, beginners. This isn't about academic lectures or esoteric jargon; it's about practical understanding. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation, breaking down foundational teachings-from the Four Noble Truths to mindfulness and meditation techniques-into manageable pieces you can apply in daily life. Whether you're just exploring spiritual paths or actively seeking to build a personal practice, this podcast provides a supportive space to learn at your own pace. Alan draws from his own experience and the work he shares on his website, ensuring the guidance is both authentic and immediately useful. Tune in to find clarity, reduce confusion, and discover how Buddhist wisdom can offer tools for navigating life with more peace and intention.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto
Podcast Episodes
55 - The Super Buddha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
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…
54 - The Heart Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:02
The most chanted, studied, and copied sutra in the Buddhist world is the Heart Sutra. Found in most traditions that follow Mahayana Buddhism (the path of the Bodhisattva) chant this sutra daily. It teaches the profound n…
53 - The Bodhisattva Path [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
Mahayana Buddhism makes up the largest branch of Buddhism, and they follow the "Bodhisattva Path". What is that and why is it so important to them? A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being that practices for themselves and…
52 - Impermanence in Buddhism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:33
Impermanence in Buddhism is so important and central to our practice that we can't ignore it. However, it is also a very hard concept to understand. The Buddha essentially said that all conditioned things (that includes…
51 - Repentance in Buddhism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:41
Do Buddhists "repent"? Yes! And it's not what you think. Repentance in Buddhism is a fundamental part of Buddhist practice because it helps us "get out" the misdeed/transgression of the five precepts we created so that w…
50 - Buddhism Misconceptions (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
Check out episode three (3) of this podcast for the first part! In this new episode, I talk about more misconceptions you may have heard about Buddhism in the West. Here are the misconceptions covered in this episode: "T…
49 - The Three Fires of Buddhism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:54
One of the most important teachings in Buddhism is that of the "Three Fires" or "Three Poisons" of greed, anger, and ignorance. Why? Because it is the cause of our unwholesome karma keeps us trapped in the cycle of rebir…
47 - Observance Days Practice in Buddhism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:44
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 lifesty…