Haeinsa Temple Woodblock Storage Halls

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Hapcheon

The woodblock storage halls are located behind the Hall of Great Silence and Light. These halls were built to preserve more than 80,000 woodblocks for printing the Tripitaka Koreana. Since the woodblocks were relocated to the temple in 1398, the halls were estimated to have been built in the middle of the 15th century. The halls were expanded and repaired on several occasions throughout their history. They were listed as National Treasure No. 52 in 1962, and were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
The storage halls consist of the Sutra Hall in the south and the Dharma Jewel Hall in the north. The halls are similar in appearance with a single-eave hip roof upon a fifteen-by-two bay structure. The roof is supported using bracket sets with wing-like arms. Between the halls there are two smaller two-by-one bay halls. The four buildings contain a total of 108 columns and there are 108 steps between the One Pillar Gate and the storage halls, reflecting the incorporation of Buddhist ideas into architectural design.
Although the appearances of the storage halls are simple, they are designed to ensure maximum ventilation, minimum moisture, and optimal temperature for the long-term preservation of the woodblocks. Charcoal, calcium oxide, salt, and sand are placed under the clay floors to control the humidity. The lattice windows of different sizes are designed with precise calculations to allow for appropriate air circulation. The scientific design of the halls has helped to preserve the woodblocks for over 700 years.