# Tripitaka Koreana moved to Haeinsa (1398)

URL: https://allhistories.com/north-korea/timeline/1398-tripitaka-koreana-moved-to-haeinsa
Location: Haeinsa, Hapcheon
Themes: Society

In 1398 the Tripitaka Koreana, the complete Buddhist canon carved on more than 81,000 wooden printing blocks during the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, was moved from Ganghwa Island to Haeinsa temple on Mount Gaya in southern Korea. The move came at a time when the new Joseon state was starting to restrict Buddhism, yet the woodblocks were still treasured as a national accomplishment. Copies printed from them were sent as diplomatic gifts to Japan, whose rulers repeatedly asked for them. The blocks were stored in the Janggyeong Panjeon depositories at Haeinsa. These buildings, completed in their present form in the 15th century, use natural ventilation and a floor of charcoal, lime and clay to control humidity, and have protected the blocks from decay for more than six centuries. The Tripitaka Koreana is the most complete surviving version of the Buddhist canon in Chinese script and is recognized by UNESCO.

## Why it matters
It secured the survival of the world's most complete woodblock Buddhist canon.

Ruler at the Time: [Taejo of Joseon](https://allhistories.com/north-korea/rulers/taejo-of-joseon)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Tripitaka Koreana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripitaka_Koreana)
- [Wikipedia — Haeinsa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haeinsa)
- [Wikipedia — Korean Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Buddhism)
- [UNESCO — Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/737)
- [Wikipedia — Early Joseon (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon)