Kakusandha Buddha Image

The revered Kakusandha Buddha, who resided during the monastic retreat in the Gandhakuṭi building located within the Eastern Ārāma Shrine of the Shwedagon Pagoda, is represented in a statue made of five metals: gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. This statue, called a Pañcalohā image, was donated by King Singu of the Konbaung dynasty in the year 1140 of the Myanmar Era (Burmese calendar). A unique characteristic of the Kakusandha Buddha image is that the right hand is turned upwards, which is why it is also known as the “Hand-Raised Buddha.” It represents the Lābha Mudrā gesture. The Kakusandha Buddha was the first of four Buddhas to have attained enlightenment in this Bhaddakappa (auspicious aeon). Additionally, a sacred relic, “the Golden Staff of the Kakusandha Buddha,” is enshrined within the sacred relic chamber of the Shwedagon Pagoda.