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Creatures, Myths & Legends

Buddhists claim Loch Ness Monster is a 'naga'

By T.K. Randall
April 28, 2014 · Comment icon 38 comments

Is the Loch Ness Monster even a physical creature ? Image Credit: CC 2.0 Dave Conner
The UK's first Buddhist Lama believes that the creature is more of a spiritual than physical entity.
Most attempts to capture evidence of Scotland's famous lake monster over the years have been based on the idea that there is an actual physical creature living in the murky depths, but now in the run up to the opening of a new Buddhist centre in the Highlands there is talk of a much different interpretation of the monster legend.

Lama Gelongmo Zangmo, spiritual director of a project to bring the new centre to Drumnadrochit this autumn, maintains that the Loch Ness Monster has never been about there being a physical creature residing in the lake.
"Nessie is a naga," she said. "We build the relationship with the naga, try to please them and don't abuse the environment. If Nessie is treated well, she will bring prosperity."

Lama Zangmo also went on to praise the region as a place of magic and inspiration.

"This is such a beautiful part of the country and it has a very special feel to it," she said. "The natural setting is wonderful, how pure the air is and the sense of spirit in the Highlands is most magnificent and inspiring. The scenery is striking, the light is beautiful and being close to Loch Ness has a special magic about it."

Source: The Scotsman | Comments (38)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #29 Posted by Urisk 10 years ago
Nessie is just a big fish. *just a big fairy tale.
Comment icon #30 Posted by theotherguy 10 years ago
Just for the record so people will know: "lama" with one "l" is a Tibetan priest (sort-of) while "llama" with two "l's" is a South American camelopard. And a three-L lllama is a really big fire! Get it? Three-L lllama, three-alarmer? Okay, I'll leave now.
Comment icon #31 Posted by sam12six 10 years ago
In addition to what JesseCuster mentioned, the River Ness does get quite shallow, down to a foot in some areas. The Greenland shark is also a slow cruiser, topping out at about 2 mph, swimming upstream in a shallow, fast moving river might present a challenge. I believe they cannot osmo-regulate, which means they could not survive long in fresh water. They are able to tolerate brackish water, but not freshwater. But, but... a couple of weeks ago on River Monsters, Jeremy implied (without being so arrogant as to actually state) that Nessie was a Greenland shark.
Comment icon #32 Posted by Urisk 10 years ago
Nah. It's definitely not a Greenland shark.
Comment icon #33 Posted by PlanB 10 years ago
Many Asians believe the Naga is a physical creature and claim to spot them in the Mekong River, but these are probably giant Mekong catfish which are monsters in their own right. Nessie sightings are probably not a Greenland shark for the reasons already stated here. Not even sure how Jeremy Wade could suggest that without having caught, let alone SEE one in the loch. Greenland sharks were also featured on an episode of Dirty Jobs. Mike Rowe helped some scientist catch one, then after marveling about being able to catch such a rare and mysterious creature, the scientists made him cut its head ... [More]
Comment icon #34 Posted by Simbi Laveau 10 years ago
Now this one I've never heard before.... Given the Naga is a minor deity in the Hindu religion, and a more major one in places like Thailand and Tibet, I'm wondering how she got to Scotland.... She is a major part of the story of Garuda, and depending upon the religion, she is either friend or deadly foe, or, in some cases, both. There is also a variation of her called the Nagakanya, who are similar to sirens. In any case, I've always felt she was something prehistoric, that may have been in the loch, alone, once upon a time, but has long since died....
Comment icon #35 Posted by seko 9 years ago
find it interessting that these monster lakes are deep,long and old lakes at mountain regions.lake ness, okanagan, champlain, even in south america the lake of "nahuelito", in the andes. Where mountains are deep cavern systems are also. There maybe connection ways were beings come into the lakes and don't live all time in the lakes.they may travell from the subterran systems up into the lakes for some reason.birth or growing up their young.food search.whatever
Comment icon #36 Posted by Realm of Unknown 9 years ago
Pretty sure spiritual can also refer to alternate dimensions, which I believe could be perfectly logical. I mean humans literally know so little about everything, yet we believe we know it all. Not long ago we thought the sun revolved around the earth. Now we don't even accept anything new. Just be open anything is possible unless proved with a shadow of a doubt wrong; and even then things proven to not exist have been proven later along the line.
Comment icon #37 Posted by TonopahRick 9 years ago
A naga huh. Is this where we used to get "nagahyde?
Comment icon #38 Posted by Likely Guy 9 years ago
find it interessting that these monster lakes are deep,long and old lakes at mountain regions.lake ness, okanagan, champlain, even in south america the lake of "nahuelito", in the andes. Quesnel Lake, deepest fjord lake in the world. Super deep, super narrow, no monsters. Higher than Ness, Okanagan and Champlain. Theory blown. Edit: Though the possibility of giant land locked white sturgeon is possible.


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