Buddhist Dragons around the world
In Northern and Eastern Buddhism especially, Dragon is the “Protector of the Dharma” and also “Protector of the Shakyamuni Buddha.” In early Sutras, Dragon and Naga deities attend many of Buddha’s teachings. The image of Buddha meditating under the protective watch of Naga King is ubiquitous.
In China, Japan and Korea, Dragons are always powerful forces, and almost always auspicious, heavenly powers, associated with oceans, weather, heavens, thunder, and life-giving rain.