South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su attends ceremonial launch at Haeinsa

800-year-old tradition revived as craftsmen set out to re-carve 81,352 woodblocks

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su delivers remarks at the ceremonial launch of the Haeinsa Tripitaka woodblock carving project, held Thursday at the Beopgyetap courtyard of Haeinsa temple in Hapcheon. [South Gyeongsang Province]
South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su delivers remarks at the ceremonial launch of the Haeinsa Tripitaka woodblock carving project, held Thursday at the Beopgyetap courtyard of Haeinsa temple in Hapcheon. [South Gyeongsang Province]

A half-century undertaking to re-carve the Tripitaka Koreana — the 800-year-old Buddhist scripture collection imbued with a spirit of national protection — using traditional methods has begun at Haeinsa temple in Hapcheon.

South Gyeongsang Province said Governor Park Wan-su attended the ceremonial launch of the woodblock carving project, held Thursday at the Beopgyetap courtyard of Haeinsa, joining in a pledge to carry on the traditional carving craft.

The ceremony, known as a gobulshik, is a Buddhist ritual in which the purpose of a new undertaking is reported to the Buddha and safe completion is sought. Thursday's event marked the official start of a 50-year project to re-carve all 81,352 woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana using traditional techniques.

Attendees included Park, Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism head monk Jinwoo, National Assembly member Shin Seong-beom and other dignitaries, as well as members of the broader Buddhist community. The ceremony proceeded with a recitation of the Heart Sutra, a flower offering and congratulatory remarks, followed by a pilgrimage through Janggyeongpanjeon — the depository housing the woodblocks — and a demonstration of traditional carving.

"The carving of the Tripitaka 800 years ago was the product of protective Buddhism and national unity in the face of foreign invasion," Park said. "The re-carving that begins today carries the wish to overcome the crises humanity now faces, which makes this occasion deeply meaningful." Park added that the province would lend its full support to ensure the project is completed safely.

Haeinsa established a woodblock carving school in 2024 to pass down traditional carving skills and train specialists. More than 670 people have received training so far, and about 300 metric tons of mountain cherry wood — the material used to make the woodblocks — have been secured and are currently being processed and dried. The temple also plans to develop a "Tripitaka Town" that will integrate traditional carving education and woodblock production.

Haeinsa, which holds the Goryeo Tripitaka woodblocks and Janggyeongpanjeon — both UNESCO Memory of the World heritage items — aims through this project to carry on the essence of its ancestors' printing culture and preserve the lineage of traditional craft.


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