外道
Meanings
non-Buddhist teachings; tirthika
Buddhist term for teachings or practitioners outside of Buddhism. Often contrasted with 内道 (Buddhist teachings).
See also: 内道
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.
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.
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.
Today was all unintended catches; I didn't catch the fish I was after.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉に外道と呼ぶto call someone a fiend/heretic for something
He was called a fiend for that cruel act.
- 外道が釣れるto catch an unintended fish (bycatch)
Instead of the fish I was after, I only caught bycatch.
- 外道に陥るto fall into heresy/deviant teaching
He strayed from the right path and fell into heresy.