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Haeinsa Temple

Haeinsa (Temple of the Ocean Mudra) is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Seon Buddhism in Gayasan National Park, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Haeinsa is most notable for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, the whole of the Buddhist Scriptures carved onto 81,350 wooden printing blocks, which it has housed since 1398.

Haeinsa is one of the Three Jewels Temples, and represents Dharma or the Buddha’s teachings. It is still an active Seon practice center in modern times, and was the home temple of the influential Seon master Seongcheol, who died in 1993.

Haeinsa Temple map.
Gayasan National Park, also known as Gaya Mountain National Park, is a large national park in the eastern part of South Korea. The park is named in honor of Gaya Mountain.

  • One significant feature of the national park is Haeinsa. This Buddhist temple includes in its grounds a standing Buddha figure carved into a vertical rock.
  • Another feature of the park is Yongmun Falls and Hongnyudong Valley. 380 different species of plant have been identified as growing there, as well as 100 species of birds, and other wild animals.
  • See more at Gayasan National Park - Wikipedia.

One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun).
The first gate to the temple, Iljumun, is called the One-Pillar Gate because when viewed from the side the gate appears to be supported by a single pillar.

  • This symbolizes the support of the world and the one true path of enlightenment.
  • Iljumun is the boundary between the spiritual world and the secular world.

Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings (Phoenix Gate).
The following gate is the Gate of the Guardians of the Four Directions or Four Heavenly Kings, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction.

  • They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma (Buddhist teachings).
  • See more at Four Heavenly Kings - Wikipedia.

Vaisravana (Kubera), he who hears everything.
This is the chief of the four kings and protector of the north. He is the ruler of rain. His symbolic weapons are the umbrella or pagoda. Wearing heavy armor and carrying the umbrella in his right hand, he is often associated with the ancient Sri Lankan god of wealth, Kubera.


Virudhaka, he who causes to grow.
King of the south and one who causes good growth of roots. He is the ruler of the wind. His symbolic weapon is the sword which he carries in his right hand to protect the Dharma and the southern continent.


Dhrtarastra, he who upholds the realm.
King of the east and god of music. His symbolic weapon is the pipa (stringed instrument). He is harmonious and compassionate and protects all beings. Uses his music to convert others to Buddhism.


Virupaksa, he who sees all.
King of the west and one who sees all. His symbolic weapon is a snake or red cord that is representative of a dragon. As the eye in the sky, he sees people who do not believe in Buddhism and converts them. His ancient name means "he who has broad objectives".


Wish tree.
The poster reads: «If you write your wishes here and pray earnestly for them, your wishes will como true.»

  • A wish tree is a tree, usually distinguished by species, location or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings.
  • Such trees are identified as possessing a special religious or spiritual value.
  • Postulants make votive offerings in hopes of having a wish granted, or a prayer answered, from a nature spirit, saint or goddess, depending on the local tradition.
  • See more at Wish tree - Wikipedia.

Hall of Mountain Spirit (Guksadan).
Guksadan is a shrine that houses the altar of Guksadaesin, the god who is responsible for protecting the site of Haeinsa.

  • Guksadaesin is believed to have power to enlighten all living beings, prevent any misfortune from occuring to Haeinsa, and bring blessings, thereby leading all to follow Buddha.
  • Guksadan is located at the entrance of Haeinsa.

Liberation Gate (Haetal).
After passing through the One-Pillar Gate and the Phoenix Gate, there is the Liberation Gate, which is the third gate of Haeinsa.

  • As a gate belonging to the middle gate, it corresponds to the gate of non-discipline in general temples.
  • After passing through the gate of liberation, the world of complete Dharma is the world of the Buddha Law, which transcends the opposites of opposites, such as the owner and the guest, good and evil, right and wrong, birth and death, and so on.
  • From One-Pillar Gate to the Liberation Gate, you go through 33 steps, symbolizing Doricheon, or the 33-thousand palaces.

First Level Courtyard.
This first level has about a dozen halls, some of which house temple offices, as well as monk quarters. The center of the first level also features a Buddhist labyrinth called Haeindo.

  • Saundang Hall (left), which means that virtuous ascetics and pious believers gather like clouds from all directions, is of unknown date. It was rebuilt in 1490, and after that, it went through several refurbishments and remodeling.
  • Bokyungdang Hall (right) was recently built as a Buddhist temple. It was designed to be used as a meeting hall and a Buddhist temple for several large Buddhist temples. Compared to other buildings in Haeinsa Temple, it has a feeling that it was built excessively.

Lotus Labyrinth (Haeindo).
This labyrinth is based on a diagram created by the early Silla Korean scholar-monk Uisang (625-702). This diagram in turn is a visual interpretation of his poem “the Song of Dharma Nature (Beopseongge)”, which he wrote during his time in Tang Dynasty China. This poem is based on a Buddhist philosophy consisting of 210 characters arranged in 30 lines, with 7 characters in each line.

  • The labyrinth, just like the diagram of the poem, is arranged around the Buddhist swastika, a symbol of auspiciousness.
  • In the central courtyard of Haeinsa Temple, you can take a spiritual walk around the labyrinth. Visitors should complete the maze while chanting the Song of Dharma Nature (the lyrics are available at the temple in both Korean and English).
  • The labyrinth also begins and ends at the same spot, which symbolizes that the world is one of singularity.

Bell Tower (Jonggak).
Dharma instruments are installed in the Bell Tower. The instruments refer to Beomjong, Beopgo, Mokgeo, and Unpan.

  • This Beomjonggak is located on the right side of the temple grounds when looking down at the yard, so it was installed according to the idea of Hwaeom, which refers to the left side as a sieve and the right side as a dragon.

Temple Bell (Beomjong).
The Temple Bell strikes to save sentient beings suffering in hell. It is also used to invite a large number of people to gather or to inform when it is time to do so, and is also used to ring the bell during ceremonies.

  • The character of "beom" means "Brahma" standing for the truth of the cosmos and "jong" means "bell".
  • The number of strikes on the temple bell has significantly different meanings. Thirty-three tolls signify the Buddhist realms of 33 celestial worlds. 108 times mean that all sentient beings can be relieved from all the earthly delusions, agonies and evil passions numbering 108 by the Buddhist viewpoint.
  • The most celebrated and the biggest temple bell in Korea is the Emille Bell weighing about 25 tons made in 771 A.D. during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) that is now enshrined in the Gyeongju National Museum.
  • See more at Bell of King Seongdeok - Wikipedia.

Dharma Drum (Beopgo).
The Drum Drum is beaten during worship and ceremonies, and just as the sound of drums resonates widely, it means that the Buddha's teachings are spread widely and always convey the true principle to everyone, and it is beaten to save sentient beings in the beast world.


Wooden Fish Drum (Mogeo).
The Wooden fish Drum is a Buddhist instrument that is struck during a Buddhist service or ritual, and makes a sound to relieve the suffering of all living beings in the water. Because the fish sleeps with its eyes open, it means to always open your mind's eye and practice diligently.

  • This wooden fish, also known as a Chinese temple block, wooden bell, or muyu, is a type of woodblock that originated from East Asia that is used by monks and lay people in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. They are used by Buddhist ceremonies in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and other Asian countries.
  • See more at Wooden fish - Wikipedia.

Gugwangnu Hall.
Gugwangnu is located in the middle of all the buildings of Haeinsa Temple.

  • The name Gugwangnu comes from the content of the Avatamska Sutra, which tells the story of the Buddha giving sermons in nine places and releasing light from the white tiger before each sermon.
  • In the past, only the great monks including Noh Jeon could enter the temple. Therefore, this pavilion was built as a place where the general public who could not enter the temple gathered to worship and listen to sermons.
  • See more at Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra - Wikipedia.

Going up to the second level.
Going up the stairs that lead from the first level to the second level.


Second Level Courtyard.
This is the main temple square looking directly at the main hall Daejeokgwangjeon.


Guanyin Hall (Gwaneumjeon).
To the right of Gugwangnu is the Hall of Guanyin. It is currently used as a Gangwon (Sangha University), and about 100 monks are practicing scriptures.

  • There are two signboards like on Gunghyeondang, one of which is Simgeomdang. The word "mind sword" means to find a sword of wisdom that can cut down all anguish, and it is a word that clearly expresses the purpose of ascetic practice.

Stone lantern (Seokdeung).
A stone lantern (seokdeung) stands for the light of Buddha, and is thus also called a light lantern (gwangmyeongdeung).


Three-story Pagoda (Birotap).
In front of the main hall, is a stone pagoda to the right. It’s three-story-tall and called Birotap.

  • The purpose of pagodas like these is to house Buddhist relics including sutras and images of the Buddha.
  • This particular pagoda at Heainsa Temple enshrines statues of the Buddha, typical for pagodas of the Shilla time.
  • Directly in front of the pagoda, a flat stone lies on the ground allowing visitors to bow to Buddha.

Flag poles (Dangganjiju).

Hall of Great Silence and Light (Daejeokgwangjeon).
The main hall, Hall of Great Silence and Light (Daejeokgwangjeon), is unusual because it is dedicated to Vairocana, whereas most other Korean temples house images of Gautama Buddha in their main halls.

  • Since Haeinsa Temple was founded with the Avatamska Sutra as its central idea, Vairocana, the main Buddha of the Avatamska Sutra, is enshrined instead of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is commonly enshrined in almost all temples. That is why the name of the sanctuary is Daejeokgwangjeon, not Daeungjeon.
  • "Vairocana" comes from the Sanskrit word Vairocana, and symbolizes eternal law, or truth. Therefore, Daejeokgwangjeon Hall, which enshrines Vairocana Buddha, plays the role of Daejeokgwangto where the Buddha's body of truth always preaches the Avatamska Sutra.
  • The present building was rebuilt in 1818 on the site of the one built in 802 by the founders Suneung Sunim and Lee Jung Sunim.
  • Seven Buddha statues are enshrined in the temple hall. Upon entering the main hall, from the left, there are the wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the wooden Bodhisattva Bodhisattva, and the wooden Vairocana Buddha, and in the middle is the main statue of Vairocana Buddha.
  • The principal image of Vairocana Buddha was created in 1769.
  • Another wooden Vairocana Buddha statue on the left is the main Buddha before enshrining the main Buddha in the middle. This wooden Vairocana Buddha statue, along with Bohyeon Bodhisattva and Munsu Bodhisattva on its left and right, is a triad of Buddha. It was made in the Goryeo Dynasty with a large three-branched ginkgo tree. The three Buddhas were first enshrined in Geumdangsa Temple in Gyeongsangbuk-do, then through the Yonggisa Temple of Mt. Gaya, where only the site remains, and in 1897, they were enshrined in Daejeokgwangjeon Hall in Haeinsa Temple. The age of creation of the other Buddha statues is not known.
  • See more at Vairocana - Wikipedia.

Vairocana Hall (Daebirojeon).
To the left side, you will find a hall called Daebirojeon. Inside this hall, a set of wooden twin Buddha statues is housed that have hidden treasures in their abdomen.

  • The statues have a unique pose: the index finger of the left hand is clasped by the right hand. This pose symbolizes the union of wisdom and predicament.
  • These two statues are the oldest wooden images of their kind in Korea dating back to the 9th century.
  • See more at Vairocana - Wikipedia.

Mountain Spirit Shrine (Dokseonggak Shrine).
Sanshin or Sansin are local mountain-spirits in Korean Shamanism and folk-beliefs.

  • In South Korea, most Buddhist temples and major Shamanic-shrines, and some traditionalist villages, have a dedicated shrine called a sanshin-gak or an altar called a sanshin-dan dedicated to the local sanshin.
  • This nature-deity is typically represented in the enshrined icons (paintings and/or statues) as an elder male (in rare cases, mature female) figure in royal-Confucian clothing, always accompanied by at least one tiger and a Korean Red Pine tree.
  • See more at Mountain God - Wikipedia.

Hill of Scholar (Haksadae).
It is where Choe Chiwon (857–10th century), the great scholar during the late Silla Kingdom, spent his remaining secluded life.

  • Story has it that when he plays his Gayageum (a 12-stringed musical instrument), cranes nearby would come to hear him play.
  • One day, he struck his cane into the ground and a fir tree started to grow. The tree seems to be growing well except that its branches are drooping down.
  • See more at Choe Chiwon - Wikipedia.

Janggyeong Panjeon.
The storage halls known as the Janggyeong Panjeon complex are the depository for the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks at Haeinsa. They are some of the largest wooden storage facilities in the world.

  • Janggyeong Panjeon complex is the oldest part of the temple and houses the 81,258 wooden printing blocks from the Tripitaka Koreana.
  • Although the exact construction date of the hall that houses the Tripitaka Koreana is uncertain, it is believed that Sejo of Joseon expanded and renovated it in 1457.
  • Janggyeong Panjeon consists of four parts. The building in the north is called Hall of Dharma (Beopbojeon) and the building in the south is called Hall of Sutras (Sudarajeon). The two small buildings connecting these two buildings, on the east and west, house two small libraries.
  • See more at Tripitaka Koreana - Wikipedia.

Hall of the Attained Ones (Nahanjeon Hall).
Eungjinjeon – also known as Nahanjeon and dedicated to the 16 disciples of Buddha. The shrine was originally built in 1488, but the current building was rebuilt in 1817.

  • The Nahanjeon Hall is dedicated to the historical disciples of the Buddha. The Korean word Nahan is a transliteration of “Arhat,” a Sankrit word. And while less accomplished than a Bodhisattva, Nahan are still an exulted and important part of the Buddhist pantheon of religious figures. Nahan carry on the tradition of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) from generation to generation. Furthermore, the Nahan were instrumental in spreading the message of Buddhism throughout the world. And an important part in continuing this tradition is the Nahanjeon Hall, which is an embodiment of the highest form that an earthly human can achieve in Buddhism. Simply put, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are otherworldly, Nahan are not yet.
  • As for inside a Nahanjeon Hall, you’ll typically find sixteen Nahan statues or paintings inside this shrine hall. They surround the central figure of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha), who sits on the main altar and can be joined either by Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power), or Yeondeung-bul (The Past Buddha) and Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha).

Ksitigarbha Hall (Jijangjeon Hall).
The main figure in Haeinsa Jijangjeon (Ksitigarbha Hall), is Jijang or Ksitigarbha, the Bodhisattva who cures suffering. Jijang goes to the various levels of hell and pleads with the souls of men to repent. The figures to the left and right of Jijang represent Domyeong and Mudeok. There are ten other figures enshrined here representing the kings of the ten levels of hell. In addition there are two proxy judges, two scribes and two guardian figures in the hall.

  • Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva primarily revered in East Asian Buddhism and usually depicted as a Buddhist monk.
  • Ksitigarbha is known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds between the death of Gautama Buddha and the rise of Maitreya, as well as his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.
  • He is therefore often regarded as the bodhisattva of hell-beings, as well as the guardian of children and patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture.
  • Usually depicted as a monk with a halo around his shaved head, he carries a staff to force open the gates of hell and a wish-fulfilling jewel to light up the darkness.
  • See more at Kṣitigarbha - Wikipedia.

Leaving Haeinsa Temple.

See also

Source

Location

Location: 1742-17 Gayasan-ro, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea