APPEASING THE SEA DRAGON

In Buddhist sutras and myths, nagas or dragons are depicted as wise and beneficent. In Mahayana Buddhism, nagas often are water deities who guard the sutras in their palaces.

Recently in Penang, there was a Buddhist ritual carried out to appease the Water Naga.

Here is the article.

RITUAL TO APPEASE SEA NAGA

Leading the way: Devotees praying as Abbot Kyabgon leads the chanting of mantra before the start of the ceremony on the boat.

By KIATISAK CHUA
north@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: Buddhist mythology has it that naga (dragons) dwell in various locations waterways, underground and even unseen realms.

However, the destruction of marine life and forests has disturbed the natural habitat of the naga, also known as water spirits.

It is believed that once provoked, the naga bring about natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, tsunami, floods and drought.

To appease them, the Rangjung Yeshe Buddhist Society Penang staged the Naga Vase Puja (ritual to honour gods) where devotees offered a grand naga vase to the mythical creatures.



Led by Nepalese Abbot Kyabgon Phakchok Rinpoche, devotees sailed from the Batu Maung jetty to drop the vase into the sea.

The ceremony, which was held last week, started at about 8.30am and lasted for about three hours.

Abbot Kyabgon said the vase was constructed using five metals (gold, silver, iron, copper and zinc), precious stones, dharma pills, medicinal herbs, sang powder and mantras.

“We hope to appease the naga after the damage done to their natural habitats.

“The naga are kind and powerful creatures. By making them happy, Penangites will be blessed in return,” the abbot added.

Abbot Kyabgon also said the Naga Vase Puja had been practised for the past 1,200 years and was started by Padmasambhava, who was also known as the “second Buddha”.

Devotees dropping the naga vase into the sea.

The ceremony started with a chanting session on a boat. This was followed by the pouring of milk into the sea before the vase was dropped into the ocean.

The milk supposedly contains herbs that can heal the naga's wounds.

Before taking part in the event, about 50 participants and devotees had to observe a vegetarian diet a day earlier.

Devotee Dr Lim Guat Poh hoped the naga could help prevent natural disasters like the devastating 2004 tsunami from recurring.

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