What is meant by "Aukana"? These colossal Buddha statues are equal to ancient Afghanistan Buddha statues. Ancient Afghanistan was called "Avakan Rata" (Avakan country). The sculpture of Aukana statue carved the statue in accordance with, in resemblance with the Avakan country's colossal statues. There is a close resemblance between Aukana Buddha Statue and "Bameeyan Buddha Statues" in Afghanistan. So, Aukana means ' Buddha statue in resemblance with Avakan Buddha Statue. That is the truth. -Ven. Dr. Beligalle Dhammajoti, Dept. of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka