Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon

Gayasan Mountain, on which Haeinsa Temple stands, rises to 1,430 metres above sea level and is a sacred mountain, striking and singular in appearance, ranked among Korea's Eight Scenic Wonders. Its rocks and streams and its red pine forests form a natural landscape rarely found even at other temples or famous mountains. Haeinsa is a temple on the south-western slopes of Gayasan Mountain, said to have been founded in 802, the third year of King Aejang of Silla, by the two Buddhist masters Suneung and Ijeong, who had returned from studying in Tang China. From the reign of King Sukjong to that of Emperor Gojong of Joseon, a period of some two hundred years, the temple burned down seven times, destroying most of its buildings, and most of the present buildings date from the late Joseon period. The temple today houses the Goryeo Daejanggyeongpan, the woodblocks of the Buddhist canon completed over fifteen years, from 1236 to 1251, the 23rd year of King Gojong of Goryeo, embodying the wish to protect the nation and bring peace to its people; it is designated a National Treasure. There are also the Janggyeongpanjeon Depositories (National Treasure), the stele for State Preceptor Wongyeong at the site of Banyasa Temple (Treasure), a standing stone Buddha statue (Treasure), the multi-storey stone pagoda and stone lantern of Wondangam Hermitage (Treasure), and the standing rock-carved Buddha of Chiin-ri, Hapcheon (Treasure). This is a place where the outstanding natural scenery of Gayasan Mountain blends with the living breath of history found in the cultural heritage of the Haeinsa area.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hapcheon, Gyeongnam

Designation

Historic Site · 사적