The Dragon King sits in his throne as a servant boy welcomes the Bodhisattva of Compassion, right, in this temple painting at Haein Temple in Gayasan National Park, South Gyeongsang Province, Jan. 1, 1983. According to David A. Mason, the painting was gone by his next visit in 1986, when he was told it had been burned as part of a "no Shamanism in temples!" campaign. Courtesy of David A. Mason
Dragons in Korean folklore are different from their cousins in European tradition. Here, they are often associated with mercy, sympathy, empathy and love.
The mythical creature is explored in a new book by David A. Mason, a recently retired professor of tourism with expertise in the religious characteristics of Korean mountains.
He will introduce the book, "K-Dragons: DaeHanYong — Korea’s Dragon Traditions and their Yong-wang Monarchs," at an upcoming lecture for Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea.
Mason will give a lecture based on a chapter from the book, focusingon the mythical Dragon King. He will focus on the Dragon King's appearance in Korean Buddhist artwork, often paired with the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who is sometimes depicted riding the dragon.
An online introduction to the lecture says Mason will "explain the complex relationship at work here, in a way that deepens our understanding of how Korean Buddhist iconography developed as an integration of Shamanic/Daoist folk-deities into it, and will attempt to enhance our spiritual inspiration that can be derived from viewing these artworks."
Mason has authored 10 books on Korean culture and tourism, including "Spirit of the Mountains: Korea’s San-shin and Traditions of Mountain-Worship,""Solitary Sage"and "An Encyclopedia of Korean Buddhism."
His latest book presents a comprehensive look at Korean dragons, and there are plans to release it in two volumes.
"No book like this exists in any language," Mason said.
The book will be available for order during the lecture, which will be his 18th lecture for RAS Korea.
Source: Korea Times News
