The project of Tripitaka Koreana was started in the 24th and finished in the 35th year of King Gojong of the Goryeo Kingdom (1237-1248). Since it was printed in the Goryeo Kingdom, it is widely known as Goryeo Daejanggyeong (Great Collection of Scriptures in Goryeo) or as Palman Daejanggyeong (Great Collection of Scriptures in Eighty Thousand Blocks) from the number of wood blocks of the scriptures, amounting over eighty thousand. It is the second Tripitaka Koreana, replacing the Old Tripitaka Koreana by Uicheon, which had been burnt down by Mongolian aggressors in the reign of King Hyeonjong.

Tripitaka Koreana has been housed in Beopbojeon Hall and Sudanijang Depository in Haeinsa Temple. According to a probe conducted under the Japanese Imperial Regime, the number of wood blocks reached up to 81258, including some re-carved blocks added in the Joseon Period.

Each wood block measures 70 cm wide, 24 cm long and the thickness of the wood blocks vary from 2.6 to 4 cm, weighing around 3 to 4 kilograms.

Tripitaka Koreana is consisted of 1496 titles, 6568 volumes. It is recognized as the best accurate Tripitaka, for Sugidaesa (a head monk in Gaetaesa Temple) who was in charge of the project, took extra care to correct errors after a thorough study of the Northern Sung Tripitaka, a Kitan Tripitaka and the Old Tripitaka Koreana.

This is the oldest surviving Tripitaka in the world in which the Northern Sung version and the Kitan version, both no longer exist, are well reflected. It is one of the most prized cultural treasures in Korea, and is designated as a World Culture Heritage by UNESCO.

* Special Information

Name of Cultural Properties   Haeinsadaejanggyeongpan(Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa Temple(81,258 printing blocks))

The more than 80,000 wood blocks preserved here represent the world's most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures, laws and treatises. Commonly known as the Tripitaka Koreana, the printing blocks are regarded as among the world's finest on terms of accuracy, the beauty of the calligraphy and the exquisite carving. According to an official prayer report written by Yi Gyubo, the carving of the Tripita