Is Buddhism a Divine religion?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Buddhism is a man-made religion that appeared in India in the fifth century B.C. It has false beliefs with idolatrous characteristics. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama whose title was Buddha. Buddha means ‘the enlightened’, and he is also known as Sakyamuni which means ‘retreated person’. He spent his early life near the borders of Nepal. He had a lavish upbringing as he was a prince who married young. When he was twenty-six, he abandoned his wife and became an ascetic, contemplated  the universe, pursued a course of life through which man can get rid of his sufferings and he called many people to pursue this way.

There are two creeds of Buddhism: the northern creed which is predominant in China, Japan and the kingdom of Nepal, and the southern creed which is predominant in Burma, India and Sri Lanka. The followers of the first creed exaggerated in their belief in Buddha to the extent that they consider him to be a god. The followers of the second creed exaggerated to a lesser extent.

Buddhists adopt several false beliefs such as reincarnation, considering Buddha as a son of god, a savior of humanity from its sufferings and pains, and that he bears their sins. This belief is similar to what many Christian sects believe ‘Eesa (Jesus) to be.

They believe that once Buddha entered a temple and the idols prostrated themselves to him, and that Satan tried to seduce him but failed. A light descended encircling his head and his body emitted great light. Whoever saw him in that state said this is not a human and that he is nothing but a god. Buddhists also believe that Buddha will return to save the world from evil and sins. Their aforementioned beliefs reflect that they were affected by the Christians and Hindus in much of what they say. That effect took place throughout several extended periods of their history.

Allaah Knows best.