(Short Conversation) Buddha Is Not in Statue, Painting, or Pop Culture Art

A: Why is Buddhism sometimes related with rock or metal music?

B: Maybe it's because Buddhism also expresses about pain and suffering like rock and metal music do. Just maybe, OK?

A: So, it's OK to put Buddha statue, painting, or ornament on a --for example-- CD artwork?

B: I don't know legal regulation about that. Perhaps different country has different laws about it. 

A: As a Buddhist, you don't mind Buddha images are used in pop culture industry?

B: If it's not disrespectful, I think it's OK. Once again... it also depends on the law in every country. 

A: Why do many Buddhist seem to worship Buddha as a God?

B: That's wrong. Buddha is not a God. Buddha just shows us the way to end suffering through our own efforts. There's "Buddha seed" inside ourselves. The real Buddha is not in statue, painting, or any other ornament. It's within us, inside ourselves. 

A: But, Buddhists bow down in front of Buddha statue. Why is that? People might misunderstand it as worshipping. 

B: Actually, it's only a gesture or symbol that we can be a Buddha too. Respecting Buddha statue just remind us that we can achieve Nirvana too. Once again... it's totally wrong to worship Buddha statue. It's only a man-made, nothing sacred about it. Buddhism is actually very logical, not dogmatic.