It's in the description section of the KZbin video. Depending on if you're viewing the KZbin website or the app, you'll see a description section which will have all the details. For your convenience, I've copied and pasted it here: My article and video on this 12-month practice: alanpeto.com/buddhism/monthly-buddhist-practice/ To give you some resources: 1) My Western Buddhists Support Group (WBSG) on Facebook where you can discuss, ask questions, etc. The post for this month's focus can be found here: facebook.com/797551117/videos/1079998250478225/ 2) My list of Buddhist books for beginners (includes some free resources): alanpeto.com/buddhism/top-buddhist-books/ 3) My free eBook, Buddhism in 10 Steps, co-written with Sanathavihari Los-Angeles Bhikkhu. alanpeto.com/books/buddhism-10-steps/ 4) Intro to Buddhism article: alanpeto.com/buddhism/buddhism-quick-intro/ 5) Buddhism in 10 Steps video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ-ceJ-LpNKfsLc 6) Various videos on KZbin by different teachers to explore: alanpeto.com/buddhism/top-buddhism-videos/ 7) My podcast episode on what is Buddhism: creators.spotify.com/pod/show/alanpeto/episodes/1---What-is-Buddhism-epm5m4

Great! Good question. Start wherever you can. As laypersons, we follow the precepts to the best of our ability. Think of precepts as guardrails that keep you on the path towards enlightenment. It's entirely up to you to follow them or not, but also understand the consequences if we do not follow them from a Buddhist path perspective. As Buddhists, we strive to follow them because we have a goal we wish to achieve. Similar to traveling from one city to another over hundreds of miles, taking wrong turns can delay or prevent you from reaching your destination. In Buddhism, the clarity of the mind is essential for mindfulness and ethical behavior. Intoxicants and stimulants affect the mind's clarity and can lead to actions that may not align with the precepts, and impacts our ability to tame and focus the mind as the Buddha and Buddhism teaches. It's important to consider how any substance might impact your ability to practice mindfulness and maintain ethical conduct along the Buddha's path. This doesn't include medically necessary medications, such as during an accident where a bone is broken and medication is given. However, we must always be aware of how anything we ingest (and more broadly, anything we take in through our sense organs) affects us.

@@AlanPeto ok ty that helps. Most of the time it is for pain and to help me sleep but would be great if could stop it all and save some money!

Reincarnation doesn't exist in Buddhism. That, in the Western world, implies that there is a permanent, unchanging, and independent 'self' or 'soul' that continues into a new body/existence. Buddhism teaches rebirth, which is our karmic imprints continue on to new existences. This rebirth is 'forced' due to the karma we generate (typically unwholesome) along with other factors. Buddhists strive to end forced rebirth through awakening and enlightenment to the truth of our world the Buddha taught, so we may reside in our true natural mental state of Nirvana, which ends forced rebirth.

@ interesting I thought reincarnation was something that Buddhist believed

@ I thought Buddhist wanted to reincarnate I thought that was the go. I didn’t realize there was something that came from over here.

It can be nuanced and sound like the same thing, but we often use the word 'rebirth' in English with Buddhism, rather than 'reincarnation'. This is because 'reincarnation', often attributed with Hinduism, etc., is not the same as it is in Buddhism. They are complete opposites, but sound similar often leading to confusion.

You could say the goal in Buddhism is to stop the cycle of rebirth. The Buddha said this forced cycle, and the existences each one takes, is 'unsatisfactory' (often translated as suffering, etc.) due to their impermanent state.

Thank you! Glad to have you along for this journey as well 🙏

I appreciate that! Let me know how you like it as it progresses!

Great! I'm using Facebook because they have a pretty clean 'groups' interface (It was challenging to find something else, but there is a lot of other things out there). Definetley feel free to post here on the video(s) and we can do it that way!

Same I’m not on FB anymore, I’m hoping to keep up here on KZbin and will post here on the videos.

It varies on the Buddhist tradition they are used in. For example, in Pure Land Buddhism, it is often reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha. Or, it may be a mantra. It can vary.

@AlanPeto Thanks 🙏

In Buddhism, we use the word ‘stored consciousness’ to refer to the ‘Alaya-vijnana’ or ‘storehouse consciousness,’ a concept found in Yogacara Buddhism, but also found in the different traditions and branches (including Theravada). It is considered a repository for all impressions and karmic seeds from past actions. You might give an illustrative example of it being similar to soil in a garden, and planting [karmic] seeds in it. They can grow (or not) depending on how you 'water' them. Unlike the idea of an [eternal] soul, Alaya-vijnana is not a permanent, unchanging entity. It evolves and changes as new experiences and actions are accumulated. The concept of a ‘soul’ typically refers to a permanent, unchanging essence that persists throughout time. This idea is more aligned with certain theistic religions and philosophies. The primary difference lies in the nature of continuity. In Buddhism, continuity of consciousness is shaped by impermanence and dependent origination, while the notion of a soul implies a static, eternal essence.

@@AlanPeto What I got out from your explanation was that "stored consciousness" being talked about in here is not the same as "soul" in other religions. Thank you for your detailed explanation.

Thank you! Please check out my article on the Buddhist Scriptures and you'll get A LOT more information!

🙏

Happy Bodhi day!

Englihtenment/awakening is sort of like seeing clearly for the first time the true nature of things. Imagine a very dirty window. You have never been outside and don't know what it looks like out there. You 'imagine' what sounds, shadows, etc., are, but that's not the true reality. When that window is 'cleaned' you have awakened to the truth (enlightened). From there, it's a whole new ball game. You are now able to 'blow out' the three fires of greed, anger, and ignorance that have influenced our actions. When those are blown out, you can live life as it truly should be lived - in your natural state (the imagery of 'fires' is intentional ['three poisons' are also used] because you can imagine that not being a satisfactory state to be in nor your natural state1). Those who are enligtened and residing in the true state of nirvana have 'broken the chains' of forced rebirth - eliminating dukkha (suffering, unsatisfactoriness, etc.) that result from it. It wouldn't be nihillistic as Buddhism doesn't believe in that, but it might be seen as such especially if just exploring the religion now. The Buddha did not explain in any detail (to my knowledge) of where the realms of rebirth, samsara, law of karma, etc., come from. As a Buddha, they are beyond what we are able to understand and give us the teachings as a result. Only that they are the true fundamental nature of existence and how to understand and transcend our limitations and unskillful interactions with them. It can be challenging to understand and accept as we can't always grasp these as unenligthened beings.

Hello! It depends on where you live in Africa. The organization I'm in, Fo Guang Shan, actually has a very large temple in South Africa if you are able to visit. You can also find my group up on Facebook if that helps. Regarding the second part of your question, I'll do my best to answer (but you may want to talk with a monastic if you have the opportunity). In Buddhism, the focus is often on cultivating a positive mind, developing wisdom, and practicing compassion, rather than directly dealing with concepts like black magic, witchcraft, or negative spirits. However, there are elements within Buddhist practice that are believed to offer protection and promote peace and well-being. For example, meditation and mindfulness can help to cultivate and calm the mind, which reduces fear and promotes inner peace. Certain sutras and mantras, when recited, are believed by Buddhists to offer protection and positive energy. For example in Mahayana, the Heart Sutra and the Avalokiteshvara mantra are very popular. Also, taking refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) - which is how one becomes a Buddhist - is believed to create a protective aura of positive energy in the Buddhist path. However, I can't It's important to note that Buddhism emphasizes inner transformation and the cultivation of a wholesome mind. By focusing on ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, one can cultivate a protective and resilient mind. This may not be the same as what you are asking about, but it has a different element and force that helps us as sentient beings.

That's wonderful, thank you!

Great! Let me know if any questions.

Apprecaite that!

In Buddhism, the concept of "not-self" (anatta) means there is no permanent, unchanging, and independent self or soul moving from one life to another. Enlightenment is about realizing this truth and understanding that clinging to the illusion of a permanent and unchanging self causes forced rebirth and dukkha (suffering, etc.). It is the process of recognizing the impermanent and interconnected nature of all things, leading to wisdom, compassion, and the cessation of dukkha. In our current state, we are definetley a person. Our hinderance is that we believe it is a permanent, unchanging, and independent "self" we identify with - which isn't the case as the Buddha said. Your question is a great one to explore and meditate on!

Great question. It's a complex and interconnected process (where we have to dive back into karma and other concepts). An animal is not able to consciously practice (or even understand) the Dharma, nor can they generate wholsome karma through deliberate actions. However, a human can do those things. Since they are hindered by this, it becomes a gradual process influced by karma and often numberous existences. Some ways animals can hep with this transition (of course without them understanding the Buddhist connect to it), would be to perform meritorious actions. This can be a result of their instincts or their past karmic influences. For example, if an animal shows kindness and protection to their offspring, this can result in postive/wholesome karma that can eventually lead to rebirth in a higher realm. Their desire to do this may come from karma that existed in a prior existence. Ultimatley, the goal is to get to the human realm. Like many of the other realms, awareness of the Dharma is not known or able to be practiced, resulting in significant challenges until the unwholsome karma that resulted in a rebirth there can be "burned off". But, as with everything in Buddhism, all realms of existence are impermanent offering the opportunity to change. Yet, they are not conductive to the Buddhist practice which is why Buddhists strive to practice and generate merits/karma that help their karma and vows experience rebirth in the human realm.

Interesting question! To my understanding, no, there is no limitations. The real focus is regarding the realms of rebirth. Buddhas, for example, can exist anywhere a "human" realm of rebirth exists regardless if they are the 'humans' we have here (we use 'human realm' as a general term to refer to the right conditions/sentient beings able to understand the dharma, etc.).

@@AlanPeto as far as i know this was 1 of 10 questions Buddha didnt answer, but this question was answered by Mahavira (apparently there s a border (3 winds) that enlightened beings cannot pass (and go into aloka, where there is still space) Buddha didnt want students to be concerned about these kind of matters (they cannot be solved)

I'm in Humanistic Buddhism as taught by Fo Guang Shan, which is a form of Chinese Buddhism. That means it's often a dual-practice of Ch'an ("zen") and Pure Land!

@@AlanPeto Thank you for your reply.

Agree!

This video is on KZbin and they control ads on their platform. You can check out my website for an article on this that will walk you through it.

@@AlanPeto ok thankyou!