ucchedaditthi

Ucchedaditthi is a Pali term that translates to "annihilation-view" or "heretical view of annihilation." In Buddhism, it refers to the mistaken belief that consciousness and existence cease entirely at death, with no possibility of rebirth or continuity. This view stands in contrast to the Buddhist doctrine of rebirth and karma, which posits that volitional actions and their consequences continue beyond physical death.

The Buddha addressed ucchedaditthi as one of the most harmful and erroneous views one could hold. He taught that clinging to this belief leads to a life devoid of moral responsibility, as individuals might feel there are no consequences for their actions. It also fosters despair and a sense of futility, as it denies any ultimate meaning or purpose beyond the present life.

Instead of annihilation, the Buddha taught the concept of dependent origination (paticcasamuppada) and the cycle of rebirth (samsara). This understanding suggests a continuous process driven by craving, ignorance, and actions, leading to a new existence after death, not a complete cessation of being. Ucchedaditthi, therefore, represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality and the path to liberation from suffering. It is considered an extreme view, just as eternalism (sassataditthi), the belief in a permanent, unchanging self, is also rejected by Buddhism.