Boundless Way Zen Temple Dharmacast · Boundless Way Zen Temple

David Rynick - Delusions Are Inexhaustible

·27 min·2 clips

David Rynick questions if we can truly end delusion, asking, 'You think you're going to end them?'

David Rynick, a Zen teacher and abbot, delivers a Dharma talk exploring the profound paradox within the second Bodhisattva Vow: "Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them." He frames these vows as a foundational yet often overlooked part of Zen practice that requires deep determination. Rynick provides multiple translations of the vow, including "greed, anger and ignorance rise endlessly" and the literal Sino-Japanese "anxiety and hate are inexhaustible." He connects these delusions directly to contemporary life, noting the pervasive anxiety of modern America. The talk challenges the simplistic idea that practice aims to permanently eliminate difficult mind states like irritation or hatred. Rynick explains that a common, ineffective strategy is to turn away from or deny these painful arisings. Conversely, he warns against being completely "taken over" by them, which leads to acting out through blame or walls. He proposes the vow is instead an intention to "meet" these difficult emotions without letting them run the show. In the Lojong teachings, greed, anger, and ignorance are reframed not just as poisons but as potential seeds for transformation. The subsequent community dialogue features practitioners like Madhu, who expresses deep doubt and feels the vows cause personal suffering. Another participant, Sabrina, questions what it practically means to "meet" a difficult moment, wondering if it requires constant intentional awareness. A practitioner named Don shares how the vow serves as a reminder to face uncomfortable truths, like implicit bias. The teacher and co-host emphasize that doubt is a valuable part of the path, cautioning against becoming a "Zen robot" through blind belief. The style is deeply educational and contemplative, blending scriptural analysis with personal reflection and responsive community dialogue. Listeners interested in the practical application of ancient Buddhist vows to modern emotional life will find this episode compelling. Those seeking fast-paced entertainment or doctrinal certainty might find it too slow or abstract.

As heard by us

A clear Zen talk about meeting delusion without turning away.

This Zen talk follows the Four Bodhisattva Vows and their blunt claim that delusions do not run out, then asks what it looks like to meet irritation, anxiety, and anger as they come up.

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Why you'd press play

When your own mind feels like the problem, this talk stays with that edge.

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