Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

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.com
Settle in, relax, and enjoy the full journey through the ten steps!
Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast
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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/contact
Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast
Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

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

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

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