LOL! Well - many of the artists were lay-people and these simply didn´t know about the Buddha not wanting to be sculptured or pictured. The practise is not about the Buddha. The practise is about yourself. There are several examples of this in the pali texts. One of the texts describe the buddha in his last years, and this made his monks go pretty sad. In fact, they were so sad, that they whined and cried a lot. But one monk was thinking differently. He had the idea to follow the buddhas advise and practise, rather than letting himself be absorbed in emotional outbursts. When the other monks saw the single monk meditating alnoe under a tree, they went to him a dragged him to the Buddha, saying "This monk does not respect you!" The monk explained himself to the buddha, that he didn´t see whining to be constructive, and the Buddha agreed with the monk. Not only is it more constructive to go your own ways, it is also more constructive to seek an environment, where you can develop the bases of your practise, and lastly - you´re always on your own in the practise. Noone can help you practise. Everything you do, is of your own effort. Actually the didn´t even have to explain himself (though he did). Argumenting and discussing the practise is really a waste of time, and usually comes from the desire of "wanting to be something you´re not". Harsh, but never the less true. Another issue here in this story, is pointing fingers at other peoples practise. The perspective that there is "right" and "wrong" is what causes this. Some people actually believe that objects can be labelled "right" or "wrong", and that is where their suffering start. Everything in the practise is about oneself, and since you don´t know about other peoples suffering and you don´t know what elements they are practising or how, you can´t say whether they are "right" or "wrong" without including your own idea of "right" and "wrong" in the equation. That is not constructive at all, neither for one self or the other person. The only thing we can do is to keep practising the acceptance of the imperfection of life, and learn the ability to handle these imperfections. The statues are an imperfection - get over it and move on. :)

Yes you are correct. The fact is that many things that the ancient Prophets told were not followed strictly by the followers. One of the most important thing Lord Buddha protested was killing of animals, and initiated nonviolence.In fact he came out of the Vedic religion because of animal sacrifice. The followers of Buddha personified him as a God and gave the form also. Vegetarianism is not practiced strictly by modern Buddhists. It is said that the great Vedic (Hindu) Philosopher and reformist Samkara revived Hinduism by including many useful preachings of Buddhism and Jainsm.

First of all to have an idol of Buddha is not attachment because it serves as a reminder of the truth that is Buddah. Who knows what he really looked like anyway? His message is the Way. Not his person.

I am only a novice but what I am taught is that a picture or sculpture of a Buddha is a point of focus for meditation.

I don't know of any Buddhist that actually worships Buddha or any image or sculptue of him.

Why do we fill books with sutras and otherwise. We all dream from mountain tops; who will descend? The way is wide and has nothing to hold onto. Such objects are hand and footholds.

It's the way of things. On his death, he did ask all bikkus and disciples if they disagreed w/ anything he has/had said. Out of respect they remained silent.

idk, i think it was on the movie anger management, they said... how can anyone take this buddha guy seriously. i cant take spiritual advise from someone who says to practice self control, yet is at least 100 lbs overweight