Tripitaka Library,
Janggyeong Panjeon (National Treasure No.52)

Upper Level, Haeinsa Temple
Gayasan National Park, Korea

Located above the main hall at the highest level of the temple, the library houses over 80,000 woodblocks that comprise the Korean version of the Tripitaka Koreana, the Korean version of Buddhism's canonical scriptures. These were cut in the 13th century, an earlier set having been destroyed by Mongol invaders. Haeinsa has housed the Tripitaka since 1398; the present building dates to the 15th century. Its wooden quadrangle is by far the oldest building in the temple, having survived numerous disasters including Hideyoshi's invasion (1592-1598) and a fire in 1817.

Currently (2016) photography is permitted from only this one spot, and you can't even walk around the back of the hall, let alone go inside. The louvered windows (top and bottom) promote air circulation through the building, and a drainage ditch surrounds the foundations.

Tripitaka means "three baskets," the foundation of the Buddhist faith: Buddha (his life and person), Sangha (the community of his believers), and Dharma (his teachings).