Haiensa (I)

[Finals de novembre del 2006, Temple de Haiensa, al sud de la peninsula]

Haeinsa Temple is situated in the Gayasan National Park, in the west of Daegu city at the edge of Gyeongsang province. It holds a long history, has major relevance as one of the most important Buddhist temples of Korea and keeps many treasures, specially the Tripitaka Koreana Wood Blocks – Cultural Heritage of the world by the Unesco.
Haeinsa Temple represents the Dhama – the teachings of Buddha; its name was taken from a phrase in the Avatamsaka sutra (Flower Garland), which compares the wisdom of Buddha to a calm see. Haein means ‘reflection on a smooth sea’.

The temple was founded in 802 upon the return of monks Suneung and Ijeong from China, under the ruling of King Aejang during the Silla Period. In 903 was the first major renovation, while the famous monk Hirang was the chief of the temple. The Tripitaka Koreana was transferred from Gwanghwa to it in 1398, giving its aspect as Dhama. The second major renovation was carried out in 1488 by the senior monk Hakjo – when the Tripitaka repository was built. During 1817, a great fire caused a lot of damage; the reconstruction brought the completition of the main buildings that give its actual ambience and scale in 1818 during the late Joseon (Chosôn) dynasty. In many periods of history, auxiliary temples and Buddist monuments have been constructed around the Temple, harmonizing with nature and enhancing the Buddhist complex.

Haeinsa is the typical mountain monastery, with platforms in different heights, axes of the ground, halls and houses arranged according to Buddhist symbols, giving panoramic views showing symbolic processes of enlightenment, according to religious traditions.