Asian Dragon rendered with Sharpie pens on drawing paper, by Red Dust
Buddhist text speak of dragons or snake like beings, which can be positive or negative teaching story tools. Many believe the Nagas are real beings living in a parallel world that touches our world and they are able to cross the barriers that separate the two. The Naga folk who follow the Dharma of the Buddhas are said to protect people who are good of heart, especially meditators and ancient holy script, link to references if you are interested.
Nagas are known to have a hair trigger temper. If they are triggered, they can cause illness, wars, and plagues. They are particularly protective of water ways and land, but anything that pollutes our world angers them. If walking near deep pools of water be respectful, you never know if that is home to a Naga. Even Nagas who protect saints and holy text have horrible tempers, if you sense one near you stay humble and pure of heart, they will leave you alone.
One of my favorite philosophers of Buddhist Mahayana is Nagarjuna link to text, I am especially fond of his writing on dependent origination link to Pratītyasamutpāda. The story of the Prajnaparamita, one of my favorite text ties the protection of important Dharma teachings to the good Nagas. Nagarjuna had known that the nagas had The Hundred Thousand Verse Prajnaparamita Sutra (Shes-rab-kyi pha-rol-tu phyin-pa stong-pa brgya-pa, Skt. Shatasahasrika-prajnaparamita Sutra) and requested a copy. When Buddha had taught Prajnaparamita, far-reaching discriminating awareness (the perfection of wisdom), the nagas had taken one version of it back to their realm for safekeeping, the gods another, and the yaksha lords of wealth yet another. Nagarjuna brought back the hundred thousand verse version, although the nagas kept the last two chapters to ensure that he would return and teach them further. Later, the last two chapters were filled in with the last two chapters of The Eight Thousand Verse Prajnaparamita Sutra (Shes-rab-kyi pha-rol-tu phyin-pa brgyad stong-pa, Skt. Ashtasahasrika-prajnaparamita Sutra).
One of my favorite online personalities has a lovely article about Nagas in his magazine. You can find Nicholas on Facebook. He is funny, wise, and very knowledgeable about everything shaman. Bringers of Rain The Naga Spirits of Asia by Nicholas Breezewood
