As the central feature of its activities, Maitreya Project is planning to build, in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, a magnificent 500ft / 152m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha, built to stand for 1000 years.
World focus, inspiration, and the Buddhist tradition of building very large buddha statues are the reasons for the size of the Maitreya statue. The more notable a statue is, the more people will hear of it, see it, and have the chance to benefit from it.
“The purpose of life is to benefit sentient beings, to free them from suffering and bring them to enlightenment. This is the real meaning of life, the purpose of surviving each hour, minute, and second with this human body. Whatever we are doing, our motivation is to benefit others and serve the teachings of the Buddha. This is the sole source of our own happiness and the happiness of others.” – Lama Zopa Rinpoche
The Maitreya Project intends to bring as much benefit as possible — spiritually, in education and healthcare, and economically, through the direct and indirect
creation of employment opportunities in northern India.
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just the absence of violence. Peace is the manifestation of human compassion.” — His Holiness the Dalai Lama
According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, one of the main causes to create the merit needed to build the Maitreya Statue is writing the Prajnaparamita Sutra in pure
gold. 
Therefore, for over seven years, Rinpoche has been writing the 8000 verse Prajnaparamita himself, sometimes writing through the night. Since then, at Rinpoche’s request, several students started a second copy of the Prajnaparamita, written on archival quality rainbow paper. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is also writing the Sanghata Sutra in gold, and a student is writing the Vajra Cutter Sutra in pure silver. When the Maitreya Statue is completed, these precious sutra texts will be enshrined in the very heart of the statue.
“Everyone can make a connection with Maitreya Buddha, so that even if one does not become enlightened during this life time, when Maitreya Buddha teaches one is able to become Maitreya Buddha’s disciple and to become enlightened at that time.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Spiritual Director of Maitreya Project
The Sanghata Sutra is considered a dharmakaya relic – the actual presence of the enlightened mind in the world. The Prajnaparamita Sutra contains the highest teachings of the Buddha and is among the most holy of texts.
Both sutras proclaim the benefits of writing them out in order to create vast amounts of merit.
To make an offering: Writing sutras in gold
Blessings!
Neo
Dharma Talks 
Thank you for this excellent post!
The merits from making Buddha images is peerless, according to the Sutra on the Production of Buddha Images, some of the benefits are (but not limited to):
The Buddha said: “A person of this world who produces an image of the Buddha will, in a later life, have clear eyes and a handsome appearance; his body, hands, and feet will always be excellent. One born in heaven will also be exceptional among the gods in his purity, with exquisite eyes and countenance. Such is the fortune obtained by one who produce an image of the Buddha.”
“One who produces an image of the Buddha will, in a later life, be born in the seventh Brahma Heaven. His live will span one kalpa and his wisdom will be without equal. One who produces an image of the Buddha will never again be born in any of the evil paths(*) after death. He will always guard his chastity, and his thoughts will always be on his desire to follow the Buddhist path. Such is the fortune obtained by one who produces an image of the Buddha.”
Source:
http://www.fodian.net/world/0692.html
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Very well put! Here is another important quote from the same sutra:
“One who produces an image of the Buddha will, in a later life, become an emperor. He will be the most honored and celebrated among all the monarchs, the one in whom all other monarchs take refuge and pay homage. Such is the fortune obtained by one who produces an image of the Buddha.
“One who produces an image of the Buddha will, in a later life, become a wheel-turning king, able to ascend to Heaven and return at will. He will accomplish whatever he sets out to do. Such is the fortune obtained by one who produces an image of the Buddha.” — The Sutra on the Production of Buddha Images
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