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영어

As the terms of ‘Dragon King rite in folk religion’ and ‘Buddhist's ritual for Dragon King’ are different, they have apparently distinct contents and forms, though their ultimate goals may be similar. The differences can be summarized as follows. A dragon in Sea God rites in folk religion is a king of dragons with absolute charisma who governs the family and social system as god at its own underwater palace. On the other hand, Buddhist's belief in dragon is for just one of such Dragon Gods out of so many groups of Buddhism-protecting gods, though it has the same hierarchy with Dragon King rite in folk religion. The purpose of Dragon King rite in folk religion is to bless, and save the souls of those drowned in the sea, and exorise evil sprits absolute dependence on Dragon King. However, Buddhist's the Sea God ritual is a ceremony of self-repentance. While Dragon King in folk religion plays a role as the highest god taking charge of overrall life and death, Dragon God in Buddhism plays an assistant role in the system of Avalokitesvara belief.