In SN 16.13, “The Counterfeit of the True Dhamma”, the Buddha explained to Ven Mahakassapa how true Dhamma could survive the onslaught of counterfeit Dhamma. It requires Buddhists, both monastics and lay followers, to dwell with reverence and deference to the Teacher (Satthar), the Dhamma, the Sangha, the training (Sikkhā), and concentration (Samādhi).
A program promoting study of Early Buddhist Texts (EBT), based on the Nikayas (Pali) & the Agamas (Chinese), will supplement the Buddha’s advice and inoculate modern day Buddhists from counterfeit Dhamma.
Luckily today we still have reliable written records of the Buddha’s sayings. Getting a basic awareness of the Buddha’s teachings through the study of EBT is a reliable way to cultivate Right View and acquire the ability to detect Wrong View.
To be effective the percentage of Buddhists with basic knowledge of EBT must reach a critical mass. It works like public vaccination programs against infectious diseases. It needs to reach what some Public Health Officials call Herd Immunity (aka, Herd Effect, Population Immunity or Social Immunity).
When virus and bacteria attack a community, they find hospitable hosts who are weaken or not vaccinated. Once infected, the host becomes a walking petri-dish of the viral-bacterial culture, infecting those around them, spreading the disease into the whole population. Sickness and suffering multiply. But when a sufficient percentage of the population is vaccinated, they act as a firewall, a barrier to fight and prevent the infectious bugs from multiplying and spreading further.
Counterfeit Dhamma is the virus of the mind. People brainwashed by wrong views will spread them, intentionally or not. Dubious ideas such as “Buddha Nature”, “Original Mind”, “True Essence” and “Salvation through Devotion” are some examples of fake Dhamma infecting Buddhism. Fake Buddhism that advocates “A teaching devoid of written records, pointing directly to the Mind” or “Mere Chanting of a Deity’s name, a Mantra or the title of a sutta is all there is to Buddhism” are no different to Anti-Vaxxer advising people not to get vaccination.
Unless herd immunity is attained, over time people can’t tell the counterfeit from the real teaching. Watch the fanatic supporters of morally bankrupt politicians who are compulsive liars and egomaniacs at political rallies. Like cult followers, they are so brainwashed they can’t tell “true fake news” from “facts and evidence” anymore. They are easy prey to conspiracy theory and hoax. Black is white, white is black. That’s Perversion (Vipallasa), AN 4.49.
Perhaps it’s not a bad idea to copy the brainwashing program of Jews, Christians and Muslims. In Talmud Torah, Sunday Schools and Islamic madrasas, kids are taught to learn and recite their holy text. If there is such a thing as Buddhist Sunday School, kids (and adults too) would study the EBT. They will learn critical thinking based on Causality (Conditioned Origination), observation and respect of facts. They will acquire the power of discernment and ability to fend off Counterfeit Dhamma.