also: まっせい
Refers to a morally decayed or declining era, often with a sense of lament. Used in historical, literary, or critical contexts.
彼は末世の風潮を嘆いた。
He lamented the trends of this degenerate age.
latter days of the law; age of the decline of Buddhism
Buddhist term for the final period after the Buddha's passing, when the Dharma is in decline. Often associated with the concept of 末法 (mappō).
See also: 末法
末世には仏法が衰えるとされる。
It is said that in the latter days of the law, the Buddha's teachings will decline.
Standard kanji form; reading まっせ is more common than まっせい.
Alternate reading; less common than まっせ.
From Middle Chinese 末世 (muɑt̚ ɕiᴇiH), meaning 'last age' or 'final generation'. The reading まっせ is the go-on reading, while まっせい is the kan-on reading.