Opposite of buddhism

Upvote:1

If we're talking philosophers then Nietzsche instantly comes to mind as an avid critic of buddhism, along with other religions. His book "beyond good and evil" is likely his most detailed attack on what he calls slave morality, buddhism included.

There are interestingly enough also common thoughts in Nietzsches existentialism and buddhism as well, but that's probably outside the scope of your question.

Upvote:1

Plenty of teachings are the opposite of the dhamma.

A very opposite one is Jainism. For instance they say that humans cannot reach nibanna while being alive (ie people must die in some specific way to reach nibanna).

All teachings which say that good actions do not depend on the intention. The teachings which say that with good intentions, it is still possible to kill, lie and so on.

Even more general, Anything which relies on cravings, since β€œCraving is the path of practice leading to the origination of feeling."" and ''This very noble eightfold path is the path of practice leading to the cessation of feeling''. https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN36_23.html

Upvote:2

As the Dharma teaches about the four Noble Truths, the direction is to help individuals to understand Suffering, and leads them towards the Cessation of Suffering.

It is therefore reasonable to say, for any teachings that disregards the 4 Noble Truths, or attempt to lead individuals towards Pain/Pleasure and Continuation of Pain/Pleasure, is definitely gears them towards a significantly deviated (maybe even opposite, but nothing is ever 100%) direction of the Dharma.

Upvote:2

Yes, there are many opposite teaching to Buddha Dhamma. For instance, Noble Eightfold Path (start from Sammaditthi) has the opposite of Mityaditthi. Opposite of Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta is the Nicca, Sukha, And Atta. Etc.

Upvote:4

Well, first point... Things do not have opposites. Things simply are. Qualities have opposites, and to the extent that a 'thing' is seen as an epitome of certain qualities, we can point at other 'things' that have opposing qualities. So (properly speaking) Buddhism doesn't have an opposite, although there may be other movements that try to create exactly the opposite of the qualities that Buddhism strives for.

With that in mind, I'd point at any kind of fanaticism: political nationalism, religious fundamentalism, commercial exploitation, ideological extremism... any movement that intentionally distorts perception and understanding, and purposely creates turmoil, in order to advance some abstraction. I'll leave examples to the reader, so as not to politicize.

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