'Buddhist-oriented' is a compound of the English words 'Buddhist' and 'oriented'. 'Buddhist' ultimately originates from Pali and Sanskrit 'Buddha', where 'Buddha' meant 'awakened one'. 'Oriented' comes from Latin via Old French and Medieval Latin 'orientare', where 'oriens' meant 'rising' or 'east'.

'Buddhist' was formed in English by adding the suffix '-ist' to 'Buddha' in the 19th century, producing the adjective and noun 'Buddhist'. 'Oriented' evolved from Latin 'orientare' to Old French 'orienter' and then into Middle English forms before becoming modern English 'orient' and 'oriented'.

The compound initially and historically meant simply 'directed toward or influenced by Buddhism', and it has retained that descriptive meaning in modern usage.