Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 32
Photo Credit: Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks of Haeinsa Temple
(Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
🏯 1. The Scriptures Carved in Faith
Deep in the mountains of Hapcheon, within the serene halls of Haeinsa Temple, rest over 80,000 wooden printing blocks known as the Tripitaka Koreana, or Palman Daejanggyeong — literally “Eighty-Thousand Tripitaka.”
Carved during the Goryeo Dynasty (1236–1251), these woodblocks preserve the complete Buddhist canon, each character meticulously engraved by hand.
They were created not only as an act of devotion, but also as a national prayer for peace and protection during times of war and turmoil.
The result is a masterpiece of faith, intellect, and artistry — a legacy that embodies the Korean spirit of perseverance through wisdom.
🪨 2. Craftsmanship and Perfection
The Tripitaka Koreana consists of 81,258 wooden blocks, each carved on both sides with exceptional precision.
Astonishingly, not a single typographical error has been found among more than 52 million Chinese characters, a feat that reflects both technical mastery and spiritual discipline.
The woodblocks were made from high-quality birch and cherry wood, treated through an elaborate process: soaked in seawater for three years, dried in shade, boiled in salt water, then sun-dried again — ensuring that they could endure for centuries without warping.
Every stroke of the carving knife was a meditation; every character a prayer.
In each engraved line, one can feel the quiet rhythm of devotion — a harmony between the craftsman’s hand and the teachings of the Buddha.
🌄 3. Wisdom Preserved for Humanity
Beyond its religious importance, the Tripitaka Koreana is one of the world’s most complete and accurate collections of Buddhist scriptures.
It represents the essence of Goryeo’s scholarly spirit, merging faith, reason, and artistry into a single creation.
When printed, the text was believed to radiate the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion across the land — serving both as scripture and as a symbolic shield of enlightenment against human suffering.
In 1995, the Tripitaka Koreana was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, recognized not only as Korea’s pride but as a treasure for all humanity.
🌿 4. The Janggyeong Panjeon — A Perfect Home
The woodblocks are preserved in a special storage hall called the Janggyeong Panjeon at Haeinsa Temple.
This building itself is a marvel of ancient science — designed with natural ventilation, humidity control, and sunlight balance to protect the wood for nearly 800 years without modern technology.
Its structure embodies the deep harmony between architecture and nature, proving that true preservation comes from understanding, not force.
Together, the Tripitaka and its hall represent the Korean philosophy of coexistence — between humans, faith, and the natural world.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“The Tripitaka Koreana is not merely carved wood — it is carved wisdom.
Each block holds not just words, but the heartbeat of a people who believed that truth could save the world.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉National Heritage Portal