Located on Gaya Mountain in Hapcheon-gun region in South Gyeongsang Province, the Haeinsa Temple is one of the three Jewel Temple of South Korea that represent three jewels of Buddhism- Buddha, dharma and sangh. Haeinsa temple stands for dharma or Buddha's teachings. The name of the temple "Haein" is drawn from the expression Haeinsammae of Hwaeomgyeong (Buddhist scripture), which means truly enlightened world of Buddha and our naturally unpolluted mind.

The temple was initially built in 802. Legend associated with it say that on their return from China, two Korean monks - Suneung and his disciple Ijeong - found that the king Aejang's wife was ailing from a tumor. The monks took a piece of string and tied it to the tumor at one end and a tree at the other end. After this they chanted special verses, gradually, the tumor started withering and simultaneously the tree started dying. As the queen became well, the king was filled with gratitude for Buddha's mercy. To give respect to Buddha and the services offered by the monks, the king decided to build this temple.

There is still another account which relates to the construction of the temple. This account by Choe Chi-Won in 900 states that Suneung and his disciple Ijeong garnered the support of a queen Dowager who adopted Buddhism and then assisted to finance the construction of the temple.
Within The Temple Complex
The courtyard of the temple is reached after crossing three gates. On the left side of the courtyard is a new building meant for teaching and sheltering the people who arrive during ceremonies. On the right of the courtyard is a large Bell Pavilion.

Following the stairs up, you will reach the Main Hall courtyard. The Main Hall was constructed in 1818 on the foundation that was laid by Master Sunung and Master Ichong. Within the hall, there are seven statues - an iron Avalokitesvara, a wooden Manjusri, a wooden Vairocana (previously the principal statue), Vairocana (the present principal statue), a wooden Ksitigarbha, a wooden Samantabhadra, and an iron Popgi Bodhisattva (a Bodhisattva known as Born of Truth in English). Three statues - The wooden Vairocana, the Manjusri and the Samantabhadra statues - were all carved out from a huge ginkgo tree during the rule of Koryo Dynasty. The Main hall, additionally, also houses paintings in the hall. Paintings of Buddha's life are most noteworthy here. The carvings within the hall reflect the artistic geniusness of the craftsmen of the Choson dynasty.

At the back of the Main hall, another flight of steps will lead you upto two long buildings, National Treasure No. 52, Janggyeong Panjeon, the halls that are the depositories of the 81,258 wooden printing blocks, Tripitaka Koreana, National Treasure No.32. The Janggyeong Panjeon complex is the oldest part and comprises of four halls. It is not known when the first of these halls were constructed, however, it is widely accepted that King Sejo expanded and renovated the hall in 1457. These storage halls have been through the devastation caused by seven temple fires and and have even escaped bombing during the Korean War. During the war, the pilot was asked to bomb the temple, however, when he saw the temple complex, he could not bring himself to destroy it. The pilot was imprisoned and courtmartialed, but later, he was released and exhalted for his brave deed.

Carved in the 13th century in a temple on Kanghwado Island, the Tripitaka Koreana (Korean collection of Buddhist scriptures) woodblocks was believed to safeguard the country from foreign invasion. A set of these printing wood-blocks were first carved in the 11th century but the Mongols burnt them all. King Kojong ordered the carving of a new set in the 13th century, after the completion of the work, the printing blocks were transported from Kanghwado Island on the heads of nuns to Haeinsa for safekeeping. It took around 16 years to carve all the wooden printing blocks and today, the Tripitaka Koreana is the world's most comprehensive and oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in Chinese script, with no known faults. The uniformity of style makes it appear that a single person was involved throughout the carving, however, the fact is otherwise. Apart from the Janggyeong Panjeon and Tripitaka Koreana, the temple also houses 15 more public treasures and some 200 private treasures. Amongst these are two more famous treasures, Iljumun Gate and Daejeokgwangjeon. The first one is important because it is considered first gate that every sattva must pass to become a Buddha. Also, its architecture is representative of the ancient style.

Currently, the temple compound is home to around 220 monks and novices. This number goes up during the meditation season which is three months in summer and three months in winter.

15 hermitages around around the temple complex house 200 women. Also, around the temple, 500 mountain men reside.


Gyeongsangnam-do
Gyeongsangnam-do or South Gyeongsang is a province located in the South Korea. The province has its capital in Changwon which is one of its important cities. The largest cities of the province are Busan and Ulsan, apart from them other Gimhae, Jinhae, Masan and Jinju are also important. The province is rich in tourists sites, specially the natural beauty. Buddhist tourists, too, have a number of attractiosn in store for them if they pay a visit to this province in Korea.


Other Attractions

• Pyochungsa Temple : The temple stands on the southwest foot of Mt. Jaeyaksan, 20 kilometers away from the east of Milyang-si. The location, with the Chungcheung Falls, Geumgang Falls an icy stream nearby, is extremely beautiful and makes a visit to this temple even more exciting. Constructed during the rule of the Silla Dynasty about 1,300 years ago and reconstructed during during the reign of King Heungdeok in 829, this temple became the base for four national teachers to preach Buddhism.
  
  
• Beomeosa Temple : This temple was constructed during the rule of Silla King, Munmu in 678 by monk Uisang. It was earlier associated with Hwaeom sect, although like most Korean temples, it was later included into the Jogye Order. Within the complex, there are a number of buildings and objects that have been designated the status of official treasures. Most important amongst these are National Treasure 250 - Three Story Stone Pagoda; National Treasure 434 - Taeungjon, Tangible Cultural Asset 2 - Iljumun and Tangible Cultural Asset 16 - Stone Lamp.
  
  
• Tongdosa Temple : One of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea, Tongdosa Temple is located in the Yangsan city of the Gyeongsangnam-do province. It was constructed in 646 CE by monk Jajang and is home to the relics of the historical Buddha comprising his robe, begging bowl and a bone skull. A major part of the temple was destroyed during the Japanese invasion and had to be rebuilt again in the after the war ended. There are around 13 hermitages in the close vicinity of the temple.
  
  
• Ssanggyesa Temple : Located on the edge of Jirisan in Hwagae-myeon, Hadong County, in the province of Gyeongsangnam-do, Ssanggyesa is the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was constructed in 722 by Sambeop and Daebi, two of the most famous disciples of Uisang. The highlight of the temple is a steele dedicated to Jingam which has been declared a South Korean national treasure 47.