non-Buddhist teachings; tirthika
Buddhist term for teachings or practitioners outside of Buddhism. Often contrasted with 内道 (Buddhist teachings).
See also: 内道
He was called a fiend for that cruel act.
In Buddhism, non-Buddhist teachings are considered not to lead to liberation.
heresy; heterodoxy; unorthodoxy
Extended from the Buddhist sense to mean any belief or practice deviating from the accepted norm. Can refer to a person (heretic) or the doctrine itself.
彼の理論は学会では外道扱いされた。
His theory was treated as heresy in the academic society.
Pejorative term for a person who acts in an inhuman, cruel, or morally repugnant way. Often used as an insult.
あんな外道な奴とは二度と話したくない。
I never want to talk to a fiend like that again.
unintended catch; bycatch
Fishing term for a fish species one did not intend to catch. Metaphorically, something unwanted that comes along with the desired thing.
今日は外道ばかりで、目当ての魚は釣れなかった。
Today was all unintended catches; I didn't catch the fish I was after.
Instead of the fish I was after, I only caught bycatch.
He strayed from the right path and fell into heresy.
鬼畜 literally means 'devil and beast' and is used for someone who commits inhuman acts, while 外道 in this sense is a broader insult for a cruel or repugnant person.
内道 refers to orthodox Buddhist teachings, while 外道 refers to teachings or practitioners outside Buddhism.
From Buddhist terminology, literally 'outside way', referring to non-Buddhist paths. The pejorative and fishing senses developed metaphorically from the idea of something outside the proper or desired norm.