According to Osho, the sameness of Tirthankara idols reflects a single spiritual stream whose living presence forges a shared, coded language of symbols; Buddha, Christ, Krishna, etc., inaugurate different streams, so their images must differ. New symbols prevent stagnation and address different human types. Though their essence is one, each tradition expresses it uniquely, and sometimes must sharply distinguish itself from a dying lineage.
They’re the same inside, but each tradition grows its own style of pictures and words so the living truth stays fresh for different kinds of people.