'Buddhist-like' originates from English, specifically by combining the word 'Buddhist' and the suffix '-like', where 'Buddhist' ultimately derives from Sanskrit 'Buddha' meaning 'the awakened one' and '-like' comes from Old English 'līc' meaning 'body' or 'form' (later 'similar to').

'Buddhist' developed in modern English from 'Buddha' plus the agent-forming suffix '-ist', while '-like' developed from Old English 'līc' and later the adjectival suffix '-like'; these elements eventually combined in English to form the compound 'Buddhist-like'.

Initially, 'Buddhist' referred specifically to a follower of the Buddha and '-like' originally related to 'body' or 'form'; over time the compound 'Buddhist-like' came to mean 'resembling or characteristic of Buddhism' in terms of attitude, style, or qualities.