Ba Den Mountain: Pay homage to the rare statue of the Buddha Konagamana in Vietnam.
With its vibrant golden color and symbolism of prosperity, the statue of Buddha Konagamana atop Ba Den Mountain is a unique spiritual destination that attracts many Buddhists.
The Buddha Konagamana, the second of the five Buddhas of the present eon, is now solemnly enshrined at the summit of Mount Ba Den in Tay Ninh. This is one of the rare statues in Vietnam depicting the "Buddha who came from gold," carrying the symbol of prosperity and abundance for this land.
The meaning of the title "Bringer of Golden Age"
In Sanskrit, Kanakamuni means "The One Who Comes from Gold" or "The Bringer of Gold." Buddhist legends recount that on the day of his birth, a shower of gold fell upon the earth. Therefore, he became a symbol of the aspiration for a prosperous and peaceful life.
Legend says that Buddha Konagamana lived for 3,000 years in the royal palace of the Pure Land (now in Nepal). Afterward, he renounced the world, practiced asceticism, and attained enlightenment under the Udumbara tree – a mythical flower said to bloom only once every 3,000 years.
Notably, the writings of the eminent monk Xuanzang record that his relics are kept in a stupa at Nigali Sagar, southern Nepal. He is also famous for his first sermon to an assembly of 30,000 monks before his death at the age of 30,000.
The presence of the "Buddha from Gold" in the world.
Images of the Buddha Konagamana are widely revered in many Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Thailand, and Myanmar. One of the most famous masterpieces is located at Ananda Pagoda (Bagan, Myanmar), where a solid gold statue, approximately 10 meters tall, stands majestically in one of the four cardinal directions of the ancient pagoda.
A majestic statue stands atop the sacred Ba Den mountain.
In Vietnam, the appearance of the statue of Buddha Konagamana on the summit of Mount Ba Den is considered a special spiritual event. Many Buddhists say this is the first time they have been able to venerate this Buddha at a domestic landmark on such a grand and elaborate scale.
The statue, standing 7.2 meters tall, is crafted from red copper using high-pressure processing technology, with a dazzling 24k gold-plated surface. The deity sits in the lotus position on a lotus pedestal amidst a golden lotus pond in the Udumbara Garden. His face radiates compassion, his eyes gently looking down. Notably, his left hand holds a fig – a symbol associated with the journey to enlightenment under the Udumbara tree – while his right hand makes a teaching mudra.
Venerable Thich Duc Tuan, Deputy Head of the International Buddhist Affairs Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, remarked that the placement of the Buddha statue on Ba Den Mountain is an auspicious sign. The image of the Buddha, associated with golden age, residing on the sacred mountain peak, is not only a spiritual anchor but also a symbol of the aspiration to build a prosperous and powerful Vietnam.
