Dragon; Dragon King; Naga; Korean Temple; Buddhist Culture
摘要
The dragon is a case of a remarkable integration of Buddhism in different cultures. In the Indian Buddhism, we find nagas instead of dragons. The naga is considered as the symbol of the renewal of life and fecundity. And Sakyamuni reached enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Naga King became the first creature to receive the Buddha`s teaching. When Buddhism reached China, the naga were replaced with the dragons. All these gave to the dragon the status of a superior authority in the Chinese culture. Afterwards, the Buddhist dragon followed his own way in Asian countries. Such is the case in Korea where the belief in the dragon flourished in the spiritual, artistic and literary fields. After the adoption of Buddhism, the dragon became the most important divinity of Korea and the object of popular belief all along its history. The Korean temples do show the important role the dragon plays in the Korean Buddhist faith. We can find that kind of believe in Korean temples. First feature is as guardian of the temple. Second feature is the dragon as the protector of the Buddha and the Dharma. The Buddhist dragon attained great success, and this proves that the Korean people has a profound sensitivity and great faith into this deity.