Latter Day of the Law; age of the degeneration of the Dharma
Buddhist term for the third and final age after the Buddha's passing, when his teachings are said to decline and enlightenment becomes difficult. Part of the three ages (三時) alongside the Former Day (正法) and Middle Day (像法).
See also: 三時
In the age of the Latter Day of the Law, it is said that people's minds become disordered and the true teachings are lost.
pessimism from the idea of a degenerate age
A Buddhist compound of 末, “final,” and 法, “Dharma.” The reading まっぽう reflects consonant gemination in the combination of まつ and ほう.