Haeinsa

Overview

Haeinsa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and is one of the "Three Jewels Temples." It is most famous for housing the Tripitaka Koreana (Palman Daejanggyeong), a collection of 81,258 wooden printing blocks of Buddhist scriptures. Janggyeong Panjeon, the storage complex for these blocks, is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its ancient yet highly effective ventilation and preservation techniques.

History

Haeinsa was first built in 802 AD during the Silla Dynasty. The Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks were carved in the 13th century (Goryeo Dynasty) as a prayer to repel Mongol invasions. They were moved to Haeinsa in 1398. Janggyeong Panjeon was constructed in the 15th century specifically to protect these treasures. The buildings have survived numerous fires and wars throughout Korean history, remaining intact for over 600 years.

Things to see

• **Janggyeong Panjeon**: Four rectangular halls surrounding a central courtyard. The windows were designed in different sizes to optimize airflow and maintain constant humidity.

• **Tripitaka Koreana**: The world's oldest and most comprehensive collection of Buddhist scriptures in Hanja (Chinese characters), meticulously carved with no errors found to this day.

• **Daejeokgwangjeon Hall**: The temple's main hall, where the massive Vairocana Buddha statue is enshrined amidst beautiful traditional architectural details.

Things to do

• **Haein-do Meditation**: Walk through the "Haeindo" labyrinth, a symbolic prayer path representing the essence of the Flower Garland Sutra.

• **Sori-gil (Sound of the Mountain) Trail**: A beautiful 7km trekking path along the Hongryudong Stream, known for its stunning autumn foliage and waterfall views.

• **Templestay**: Participate in a multi-day program to experience the daily life of monks, including tea ceremonies and 108 prostrations.