The Tripitaka Koreana (lit. Goryeo Tripitaka) or Palman Daejanggyeong ("Eighty-Thousand Tripitaka") is a Korean collection of the Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures), which was carved onto 81,340 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century. But what is more interesting, is the perfect condition of printing blocks of the Tripitaka Koreana, which have defied time and the elements over the last seven centuries. Tripitaka Koreana is the world's most comprehensive and oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in Chinese script, with no known errors in the 52,382,960 characters. Tripitaka Koreana itself is stored in Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple in South Gyeongsang province, in South Korea and this temple is the greatest tourists attraction in Asia, too. The Tripitaka Koreana was first carved in 1087 when Goryeo was invaded by the Khitan in the Third Goryeo-Khitan War. The act of carving the woodblocks was considered to be a way of bringing about a change in fortune. The original was destroyed during the Mongol invasions of Korea in 1232. King Gojong ordered the re-creation of the Tripitaka Koreana so the carving took 16 years, from 1236 to 1251.
In 1398, it was moved to Haeinsa, where they have remained housed in four buildings. To a significant extent, the wonder is attributed to the wisdom of those who built the wooden depositories. Though it was constructed in the late 15th century, about a century after the printing blocks were moved to Haeinsa, the two simple and sound structures supported the walls. In fact, the ancient builders took advantage of nature with prominent wisdom and technical know-how in selecting the site and designing the buildings. The two storage halls, called Changgyeonggak, stand at the highest level of the temple compound, which is located on the southwestern midslope of Mt. Gayasan(1,430 meters). Overlooking the beautiful roof lines of some thirty buildings including worship hall, dormitories and auditoriums, the storage halls stand behind the main worship hall on top of steep stone terraces. All the natural and technical factors considered, it still remains a mystery how insects and wild animals are kept away from the buildings.
Generally, all Korean Buddhist temples are located in the mountains, which one can reach only after trekking along scenic valleys- being a ritual for purifying one's soul.
The valley leading up to Haeinsa Temple with Tripitaka Koreana in Mt. Gayasan offers greater pleasure and opportunities for deeper thought than the entryways to most other Buddhist temples in the country. Before reaching this temple preserving the Tripitaka Koreana, a national treasure, you are to pass four kilometer valley with streams and pine trees.
The building had up-to-date facilities for ventilation and temperature and humidity control.
The Tripitaka Koreana earned Haeinsa its reputation as one of Korea's three major temples representing the "three jewels of Buddhism." Not surprisingly, the Tripitaka Koreana is the 32nd national treasure of Korea, and Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the depository for Tripitaka Koreana, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is more than a tourists attraction, it is the birth-place of mystery.
So if you want to see this sacred Tripitaka Koreana with your own eyes - there is nothing easier. Take a flight and come here, to Inchon Honestay airport , which is now responsible for almost all international flights and practically the most important air gate for Korea.