user11169: When I read this article on the tallest statues in the world, I was struct by how many of them were of important Buddhist figures: of the fifteen tallest statues six are of Guanyin (Kannon/Avalokiteśvara), five of the Buddha, and one of Kṣitigarbha, for a total of twelve out of the top fifteen!
Why are such tall statues built? What significance does the height of these statues have in the religious lives of Buddhist adherents?
Or are these statues not built for true religious purposes, but as an unofficial competition between nations, just like they compete over the tallest skyscraper? Nine out of the fifteen were built in the 21th century. Who commissions these statues? Statues of this size would be beyond the budgets of most temples.
See also: this question on why precious metals are used for Buddhist statues.

user11278: Buddhism is older than some religions. This age difference takes it back to eras that people were not running the race that we were running today. That must have allowed them to create these magnificent creations.
There are mediation practices that you can follow when you are involved in a task like this (i.e. - Budhdhanussathi). Large number of people must have been involved in the creation of these statues. So, these statues can be the result of many devotees meditating.
Competition is not a Buddhist virtue. However, tireless effort is. These could be the result of many people challenging themselves in something that is viewed as 'impossible' by many. In that, these statues are a source of inspiration for many thousands in realizing that - 'nothing is impossible, so is Nirvana'.

11169: <p>When I read <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/10/photos-15-tallest-statues-world/574531/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this article on the tallest statues in the world</a>, I was struct by how many of them were of important Buddhist figures: of the fifteen tallest statues six are of Guanyin (Kannon/Avalokiteśvara), five of the Buddha, and one of Kṣitigarbha, for a total of twelve out of the top fifteen!</p>

<p>Why are such tall statues built? What significance does the height of these statues have in the religious lives of Buddhist adherents?</p>

<p>Or are these statues not built for true religious purposes, but as an unofficial competition between nations, just like they compete over the tallest skyscraper? Nine out of the fifteen were built in the 21th century. Who commissions these statues? Statues of this size would be beyond the budgets of most temples.</p>

<p>See also: <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/1747/11169">this question on why precious metals are used for Buddhist statues</a>.</p>
 11278: <p>Buddhism is older than some religions. This age difference takes it back to eras that people were not running the race that we were running today. That must have allowed them to create these magnificent creations.</p>
<p>There are mediation practices that you can follow when you are involved in a task like this (i.e. - Budhdhanussathi). Large number of people must have been involved in the creation of these statues. So, these statues can be the result of many devotees meditating.</p>
<p>Competition is not a Buddhist virtue. However, tireless effort is. These could be the result of many people challenging themselves in something that is viewed as 'impossible' by many. In that, these statues are a source of inspiration for many thousands in realizing that - 'nothing is impossible, so is Nirvana'.</p>
