78 - Repentance in Buddhism

What if cats are actually secret Buddhist monks? My book, "The Buddhism Secrets of Cats" explores the [fictional?!] hidden world of Buddhist cats and their practices and beliefs. You can also get the paperback on Amazon or the eBook on my website! ​Learn more about the illustrated book here (and get the eBook): https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-secrets-of-cats/ ​Get the paperback on Amazon*: https://link.amazon/B0bOl5ceI ​Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-secrets-of-cats/

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.

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.

"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.

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