I don't see this as dogma although the earliest text don't contain the eightfold path, the systemization of what the Buddha taught came later, probably around the first council. Don't take my word on this, I am taking this from a 20 year old memory.

What the Buddha taught is called the art of living. Depending on one's conditioning there are different teachings to help one let go of their conditioning and see reality as it is not as one thinks it should be. I see the eightfold path as a recipe, I practice making the food and when I become very good at it I can add different flavors and textures but the basic recipe is still the same. We all suffer from ignorance and need help letting that go, for me this is a good path. For others there are different paths to take, I think it's about karma. That's why you don't see Buddhist converting others to Buddhism. If the teachings fit like a good pair of shoes the rocks in the path won't hurt tender feet...hahaha

Maybe someday I can take my Dharma shoes off :p. If the teachings say you can't take your shoes off when you don't need them it's a cult!