I've seen three different Ts and given all of them gifts at some time or other. It has never been an issue apart from once when former T was quite taken over a Christmas gift. It wasn't expensive but VERY personal and she felt it was rather more like something a close friend would have given her. But she accepted it. I've never had a gift refused but I am generally very careful what i give and I don't go overboard. I think a Buddha figurine is a very nice gift and not inappropriate. I tend to go for symbolic things too.