When people do not have any faith in the Buddha’s Dharma then temples, statues, stupas have no meaning

It is important to understand that Buddhism is not the external thing. It is something internal. Therefore, when the people do not have faith in Buddha, when people do not have any faith in Buddha’s Dharma, then there is no Buddha’s Dharma. Of course, Buddha’s Dharma is finished. As long as people keep some faith in Buddha’s Dharma, Buddha’s Dharma is still alive. Therefore, Buddha’s Dharma is internal thing, something to do with your understanding, with your devotion, with your believing.

The external thing is not very important. For example, temples, statues, stupas are not really Buddha’s Dharma. When people do not have any faith in the Buddha’s Dharma then temples, statues, stupas have no meaning. This is just something physical construction and no more than that, no more than a physical construction. But when people have some faith in the Buddha’s Dharma then these physical things, external things also, have some meaning, some use. For example, when you do prostration in front of the Buddha’s statue, you can accumulate great merits. That is not only because of the statue, but it’s because of your understanding, your devotion in the Buddha. Therefore, [there are] external things and internal things. Everything is based on people’s understanding, people’s devotion and people’s faith.

 Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, “Dharma Politics – Danger For Buddha’s Dharma”