Transcript Tripitaka Koreana

Tripitaka Koreana
Korean National
Treasure
“Spiritual Code Carved in
Wood”
Tripitaka Koreana
Complete Buddhist Canon
World’s oldest surviving collection of carved
woodblocks
Approx. 80,000 woodblocks
Housed at Haeinsa Temple
Tripitaka Koreana
UNESCO’s World Heritage list
Universal significance
Uniqueness
Technological excellence
Artistic excellence
Importance to study of Buddhism
What does the Tripitaka tell us about
Geography?
Politics?
Character
Culture?
Religion
Geography
Tripitaka housed at
Haeinsa Temple
Ideal site according to
geomancy
SW midslope of Kayasan
Water at foot of mt.
Resembles ship about to
set sail for Paradise
Politics
5,000 Woodblocks carved 1011
Just after invasion of Khitan soldiers
2nd ed. of 1,000 volumes, 36 years later
50 years later 4,740 more volumes
Carved to unite people & ensure Buddha’s protection
against invaders
Politics
1232 Mongols invaded
Burned all the
woodblocks
King ordered them recarved
Character
4 years after Mongol devastation in 1232
80,000 resolute Koreans carved Tripitaka again
as act of defiance
80,000 woodblocks carved which are in useable
shape today
Culture
Advanced state of environmental science 1,000
years ago
Ideal siting of repository
Carving of Blocks
Carving of the Blocks
White birch soaked in seawater
Ends fitted with bronze plates
Chinese Characters & pictures drawn to guide
carving
Repository buildings
Exposed to SW to prevent
humid wind from direct entry
North of repository to steep
cliffs
Keeps north wind out
655 meters above sea level
Moisture rising from valleys
evaporates

Ideal humidity
Repository buildings
Not in permanent shadow
Sunlight reaches ground year
round
Windows arranged to
facilitate steady air circulation
Design promotes constant
temperature, humidity,
ventilation year round
Religion
Importance of Buddhism to Korean People
Moral compass during Koryo & Silla periods
Temples at propitious sites to strengthen power
of kingdom
Religion
Tripitaka canon reflected fervent desire of
Koreans to defend homeland against Mongol
invaders
Relying on faith in Buddha’s blessing
Religion
3 temples—3 treasures
Buddha
Dharma—Buddha’s teachings
Sangha—monks who practice Buddha’s teachings
Religion
Importance revealed through
lives & thought of monks
Buddhism state religion of
Koryo Dynasty (918-1392)
Korean scholars traveled to
China & India to study
Monks introduced Buddhism to
Japan 551 CE
Religion
Monk Chongnim leads
team to digitalize