The Korean Tripitaka
Haein-sa, being the place where the Korean Tripitaka is kept, is known as the temple of the Dharma, the teaching. The 81,340 wood blocks consists of the rules for monks along with the stories that caused the rules to be made, the teachings of the Buddha, the philosophy and commentaires added down through the ages. The entire Korean Tripitaka was carved twice during the Korjô Dynasty (918-1392), both times on wooden blocks. The King and the people believed that the presence of these sacred texts would help to drive back invasions and also bring good luck 1087. Unfortunately the Tripitaka was burnt in the invassion of the Mongolians in 1232. Then in 1236, the nation again set out to carve the texts on wood blocks under the orders of King Kojong (r. 1213 - 1259).