Eight Great Dragon Kings

List of Dragon Kings 
This is the main order of the dragon kings

Number Name Kanji HiraganaRomaji Sanskrit (Devanagari) Sanskrit (romanized)Translation Notes1 Ānanda 難陀 なんだNanda आनंद ĀnandaJoy Nanda and Upananda are brother dragon kings who once fought against Shāgara. They are mentioned in the 16th chapter of the Amoghapasha Sutra.2 Upananda 跋難陀 ばつなんだBatsunanda उपनन्द UpanandaMinor Joy Nanda’s younger brother. He protected the Kingdom of Magadha and attended lectures by the Buddha.
Made it rain for the birth of the Buddha3 Shāgara 娑伽羅 しゃがらShagara सागर SāgaraOcean The dragon king of the sea palace. He is the father of the Dragon Princess Longnü.
A daughter named  followed Kukai back from China4 Vasuki 和修吉 わしゅきつWashikitsu वासुकि VāsukiTreasure Called  in Japan. Represents devotion to Buddhist principles.Also called  or  literal translations of his name or 
Guarder Mount Sumeru5 Takshaka 德叉迦 とくしゃかTokushaka तक्षक TakṣakaMany-tongued, poisonous to the eye. He appears in the Mahabharata.
Father of 6 Anavatapta 阿那婆達多 あなばだったAnabadatta अनवतप्त AnavataptaCool and Untroubled Guardian of the mythological lake Anavatapta in the Himalayas.
Also known as 7 Manasvin 摩那斯 まなしManashi मनस्विन ManasvinGreat Body He stopped Asura’s seawater attacks on Mount Sumeru.8 Utpalaka 優鉢羅 うはつらUhatsura उत्पल UtpalakaBlue Lotus

 Rituals for the Dragon Kings 
The Japanese Shingon sect performed a rainmaking ritual called . Some sources say It was first performed by Kūkai in the year 824 at Shinsen'en. The first well documented case was in 875, then a second time in 891. After that people started doing the ritual regularly.

The  ritual used two Dragon King mandalas. 

The Great Mandala was dedicated to the Eight Dragon Kings. It had the Buddha in the center, with the Eight Dragon Kings around him. There were ten thousand lesser dragon kings too. People hung the Great Mandala on a wall.

The other Mandala had only five dragon kings. It came from a story in the . It was called a . People put the lesser mandala on the floor.

 Related pages 

 Demon King of the Sixth Heaven

 References 

 Sources 




Category:Buddhist gods and goddesses
Category:Dragons