In Afghanistan there used to be two colossal Buddhas carved into into the tall, sandstone cliffs surrounding the oasis town Bamiyan. The taller of the two statues was 53 meters high with red robes, while the other was 36 meters high with blue robes. For centuries Bamiyan lay at the heart of the Silk Road, which stretched between China and the Roman Empire. As traders and their caravans journeyed to Bamiyan the first thing they would see, even miles out of the town, were these awesome statues with their copper masks for faces and copper-covered hands.
The statues were designed to be a tourist attraction, the ancient version of the Big Banana! They stood as symbols of Mahayan Buddhist teaching, which emphasised the ability of everyone, not just monks, to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Christianity too has its symbol, not a majestic, expensive symbol, but a simple and rough symbol, set not in a church but on a hill in full public view of pagan soldiers, mocking crowds and devoted disciples– the cross of Christ. And it sends out its powerful message that everyone, not just pastors and churchgoers, can find access to God and God’s grace.
Source: Information on Buddhas from Discovering Archaeology
Applications: Christ, Christ's death, crucifixion, grace, access to God, salvation, enlightenment, truth, knowledge, revelation