Buddha with a golden body
As the 5th Buddha of the 7 past Buddhas, and the 2nd Buddha of the 5 Buddhas of the present eon, Koṇāgamana Buddha is believed to be a real Buddha, whose relics are currently preserved in a stupa at Nigali Sagar, now in the Kapilvastu district in Southern Nepal.
Uu Dam Garden and the statue of Buddha Cau Na Ham Mau Ni in golden imperial color. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
Located at the Uu Dam meditation garden at the highest position on the summit of Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh, The statue of Buddha Cau Na Ham Mau Ni is awe-inspiring to Buddhists and visitors with its golden imperial color. At the foot of the statue is the Uu Dam lake, also sparkling with golden lotus branches, golden cranes, golden turtles, golden rocks... Surrounding the statue is the 12m high Uu Dam Tower, also emitting a brilliant golden light, with 32 golden pillars symbolizing the 32 auspicious marks of the Buddha.
Statue of Buddha Kakusandha on Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
It is not by chance that the Statue of Buddha Kakusandha on Ba Den Mountain is resplendent with golden color. In Buddhist culture, the color gold is associated with his image. According to Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon - Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha: “When he was alive, he had a golden body. Therefore, when he attained Buddhahood, he was named Kakusandha, meaning the Enlightened One with a golden body”. This is why the Statue of Buddha Kakusandha on Ba Den Mountain is crafted with a golden hue.
Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon added that the Vietnamese people are also honored that in history, there was King Tran Nhan Tong, known as a king with a golden body. According to historical records, when King Tran Nhan Tong was born, his skin was pure gold, so his father called him “Kim Phat” (Golden Buddha). “Not only in the past did we have Buddha Kakusandha as a Kim Phat (Golden Buddha), but Vietnam also had a Kim Hoang (Golden King) in King Tran Nhan Tong, meaning Holy Gold. The profound meaning of 'Kim' here is immutability, permanence, unbirth and undeath” - the Most Venerable said.
The anecdote of the 'golden rain'
The golden color of the Statue of Buddha Kakusandha is also linked to a miraculous Buddhist anecdote, that on the day of his birth, a rain of gold fell, hence he is called Kanakagamana (in Sanskrit, meaning 'He who comes from Gold', or 'The Buddha who brings Goldenness').
The name of the Buddha Kuanhhamamuni (Cau Na Ham Mau Ni) in Sanskrit means "The one who comes from Gold". Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
According to Venerable Thich Duc Tuan - Deputy Head of the International Buddhist Affairs Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the name Kuanhhamamuni (Cau Na Ham Mau Ni) in Sanskrit means a being born from the golden world. He has the merit of bringing us a golden era, meaning happiness, prosperity, and peace. "Legend has it that when the Buddha Kuanhhamamuni (Cau Na Ham Mau Ni) was born, there was a rain of gold. This means the Buddha was born from the golden world. He will bring to everyone on earth gold and silver - meaning the best, most precious, and rarest things in this world. Therefore, when we come to the Buddha, we not only pray for wisdom but also ask Him to help us achieve the best things in life. That is the best of wisdom, the best of compassion, and the best of human happiness," – the Venerable said.
Ba Den Mountain is a rare place in Vietnam where the golden body of the Buddha Kuanhhamamuni (Cau Na Ham Mau Ni) resides. The statue is made of bronze and its surface is coated with 24k gold leaf to create a golden hue. The entire landscape of Uu Dam lake and Uu Dam waterfall is also coated with 24k gold leaf, creating a space radiating a brilliant aura on the sacred mountain peak.
Numerous tourists pay homage to the Statue of Buddha Kuan Na Ham Mau Ni on January 1, 2026. Photo: Sun World Ba Den Mountain
On January 1, 2026, the first day of the Gregorian New Year holiday, Ba Den Mountain welcomed tens of thousands of tourists to pay homage to the Venerable Statue of Buddha Kuan Na Ham Mau Ni. Along with a system of magnificent spiritual cultural works, the highest mountain in the South has become one of the most attractive destinations during this year's holiday.
