Haeinsa Temple and Tripitaka Koreana

Korea is home to a culture that has thousands of years to cumulate. The people are proud of their heritage, history, and homeland and it shows with how well a lot of it is preserved. Haeinsa Temple is the 52nd designated National Treasure of Korea for it’s many cultural properties and historic remains including the Tripitaka Koreana.

If you’re looking for a weekend of enlightenment or to learn about how the ancient people got their groove on before modern technology, then this is probably one of the more interesting and beautiful places of Korea. 

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About Haeinsa Temple

Haeinsa Temple is a special place due to the fact it enshrines 15 public treasures and 200 private ones. It was founded by two monks called Suneung and Ijung during 802. The name is derived from the expression Haeinsammae meaning a true enlightened world of Buddha in an undefiled mind. It is one of the sacred Jewels Temples and also one of the three biggest in Korea. The temple has three sacred gates that represent the different levels of enlightenment. 

Temple stays are a wonderful way to experience Korean Buddhism and many around the country offer ways to get in touch with peace and nature. Haeinsa offers this on the weekends only. You can check the website here (Korean only).

Related: Meeting Real Life Mermaids: Jeju Haenyeo

About Tripitaka Koreana

The Goryeo Daejanggyeong or the Tripitaka Koreana is a collection of 81,258 Buddhist scriptures carved into wooden printing blocks during the 13th century. When Buddhism spread throughout Asia, the teachings from several Asian languages were translated into Chinese (the lingua franca of the educated at the time). Each block was systematically and meticulously prepared by soaking silver Magnolias in sea water for years. Monks would carve one character on the blocks, pray, and then coat the finished product in lacquer to prevent corrosion. The blocks contain texts about Buddhist laws, treaties and prayers to ward against Mongol invasions.

What’s so special about these wooden printing blocks is that several countries tried to create them but failed. The collection at Haeinsa Temple is the only complete and in tact one throughout Asia. It took about 16 years to complete all those blocks. 

I’m sure you’re wondering, if these blocks are so old, how did they survive without decomposing? I’m telling you, us humans were pretty clever at one point. The storage units were divided into three shelves. The floor is made out of limestone and sprinkled with salt. This keeps the temperature stable and soaks up any moisture. Their storage units are arranged in a rectangle around the courtyard. It was strategically placed higher than the main Buddha to aid in preservation.

As for the buildings keeping the blocks safe, they were designed during the Josean dynasty to reflect harmony, balance, and rhythm. The Haeinsa Temple, where the Tripitaka Koreana are kept is a famous destination and pilgrimage for Buddhists and scholars alike.

Fun Fact: If you say Goryeo quickly it kind of sounds like Korea so if you’re wondering why this country is known as such to the modern world, that’s why.

Fun Fact 2: During the Korean War, in September 1951, after the Battle of Ichon, a few thousand North Korean soldiers engaged in guerrilla warfare. The UN forces ordered the bombing of the temple, but Kim Young Hwan, the leader of the Air Force’s pilots didn’t want to cause damage to such a valuable artifact of Korea’s culture. He disobeyed orders and thanks to him, a valuable part of history has survived.

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How to Get There

Take subway line 1 or 4 to Seoul Station, and book an express KTX Train to Dongdaegu Station. Get on subway line 1 at Dondaegu Station and get off at Seongdangmot Station. Get on a bus from the Seoubu Intercity Bus Terminal to Haeinsa.

Related: Top Five Korean Traditional Experiences in Seoul 

Even if you’re not a history buff, the grounds are absolutely stunning and worth the visit. It’s a national treasure of Korea and it’s a great way to get in touch with the local culture and country. Unfortunately, while we were there, we could not enter the buildings to be able to see the wooden blocks but we could semi-see them through the ventilation windows. There were a lot of guards around to make sure these treasures stayed safe so do your best to respect it.

The temple is a serene and wonderful place to disconnect from the worries of modern day life. It’s a stunning location so you can feel inner happiness by breathing in the clean forest air. What would you pray for at this temple?

Gina Bear was sent to the Haeinsa Temple as a promotional ambassador for UNESCO Korea. As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. 

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