From the Buddha's point of view, the Buddha did not ask everyone to believe in anything or anyone. All those who are willing to surpass him only need to think about things for people and life like him, and if they can have opinions beyond his theoretical scope, they can be said to surpass Buddha. However, this self-reliant Sect is naturally no longer Buddhism, and how many followers they can have can only depend on the personal charm of the leader.
Jainism, contemporary with Buddhism, in its own theory, thinks that it has surpassed Buddhism, Brahmanism, and even all religions at that time and later, and has been passed down to this day. From their point of view, isn't it also beyond the Buddha?
From other religions, they all think that this is the only explanation in the world. Don't they all think that other religions are not as thorough and clear as themselves, and they all have countless shortcomings and loopholes?
As long as you are in your own teaching, in your own mode of thinking, and in all the desires and persistence of "self", you will never surpass yourself.
The Buddha did not say that he was the only one who was right, nor did he say that he would instill his ideas into everyone, nor did he say that he would replace all other ideas in the world.
All the differences are inner differences. Let go of this stubborn heart, there is no difference between Buddhism and non-Buddhism, there is no perfection and defect of doctrine, only the lack of cognitive understanding of Buddhism.