The images reminded us of the various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Buddha would rather his followers understand his teachings(Dharma) instead of praying to statues.
假如供养恒沙圣不如坚勇求正觉。= Buddha would rather his followers pursue the right path and gain enlightenment instead of spending time making offerings to holy man and building temples.
absolutely enlightening...
the dharma is for ALL STRATE OF PEOPLE from the highly spiritual to the simple minded with varying stages of spiritual development...once you have reached the Abhidharma, you would do away with everything...even with the Dharma, the Buddha and the Sangha. You don't have to carry the burden of the Dharma on your shoulders once you have crossed over....