I have read many of the Dalai Lama's teachings although he is not my teacher I have great respect for his ability to teach and his qualities as a person.
Buddhism used to have no images of the Buddha except his feet he does not leave a foot print or mark because he is free from the rounds of rebirth, he is free of kamma/karma....
Images and rituals in all of buddhism are only a reminder of the the Dharma teachings and to establish faith. There is no worship of deities to bring one to heaven or freedom. As Buddhist it is up to the individual effort to break from the rounds of rebirth and suffering from negative conditioning.
This is a different view from all other religions that the individual must win freedom and no god can help....