Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

What do Buddhists believe happens after death? In this episode, we explore one of the most common and meaningful questions beginners ask about Buddhism. Rather than offering a single doctrine, Buddhism presents a clear process shaped by karma, mental habits, and the continuity of causes and conditions.
You’ll learn how different Buddhist traditions understand death, rebirth, and the transition between lives:
Theravada: the importance of the final mind state, wholesome actions, and merit transfer
Pure Land: the role of Amitābha Buddha, nianfo chanting, and rebirth in the Pure Land
Ch’an/Zen: clarity, non‑attachment, and approaching death as another moment of practice
Tibetan Buddhism: the bardo teachings, phowa, and rituals that guide consciousness
We also look at merit and merit dedication, why families generate merit for the deceased, and how these practices support a peaceful transition and favorable rebirth.
Whether you’re new to Buddhism or deepening your understanding, this episode offers a clear, compassionate guide to how Buddhists view death — and what these teachings reveal about living with wisdom and intention.
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-reincarnation-rebirth/
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In this episode, we explore the Six Paramitas, the “perfections” that form the gradual training path of a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism.
From generosity and ethical discipline to patience, joyful effort, concentration, and wisdom, each Paramita is both a practice and an antidote to the obstacles that keep us bound to suffering.
We look at how the Paramitas align with the Eightfold Path, why Mahayana emphasizes them as the Bodhisattva’s toolkit, and how they embody the vow to liberate all beings before oneself. Along the way, we uncover what these perfections mean in daily life and how anyone can begin applying them, not as distant ideals but as practical steps toward compassion, clarity, and transformation.
By the end, you will see how the Six Paramitas offer a gradual, cumulative path, a way to cultivate enlightened qualities step by step while carrying others with you across the shore of liberation.

Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
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Bodhisattvas can be found in both Theravada and Mahayana branches of Buddhism. In Mahayana they take on a larger role where practitioners take on the path of the Bodhisattva towards helping all sentient beings and make up a core reason that Mahayana exists. Learn more about Bodhisattvas (and learn about two big VIP Bodhisattvas) in this episode!
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/bodhisattva-path/
Get my Bodhisattva graphic: https://alanpeto.com/graphics
Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
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What did the Buddha become "awakened" to? It was the twelve links of dependent origination! This is one of the most important concepts and teachings in Buddhism because all our Buddhist traditions and practices arise from it (and to liberating ourselves from it).
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OCNnti-NAQ
Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast
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One of the most popular and widely practiced forms of Buddhism revolves around "Pure Lands". The ever popular Western Pure Land and Buddha Amitabha are the ones most people practice in with Buddhism. Learn more about this important and popular Buddhist practice and tradition.
Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhist-cosmology/Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contact
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxZ-CoGk6Wk
Podcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcast
Podcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer