The rock face that contains the statues became a coveted resting place for Buddhist monks who took their religion to China, Korea, Japan, Tibet and Mongolia and found faith and solace at the feet of the statues. In ancient times the Big Buddha was painted red with areas covered with gold. Little Buddha was painted blue with a gilt face and chest. Both were decorated with jewels. Hundreds of years ago, thieves are thought to have scraped away the gold and snatched the gems.
Today there's nothing left of the paint, the gold or the jewels.
Soon, there may be nothing left of the Buddhas.