History 2023.5.28.

Korea is rich in national heritage of global significance.

A typical example is Phalmandaejanggyong, or the 80 000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures which is preserved in Pohyon Temple, Mt Myohyang.

It is a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures and books compiled according to a certain scheme.

As it was made in the period of Koryo Kingdom, the first unified state of Korea which existed from 918 to 1392, it is also called Koryo Tripitaka.

The first edition was published in the early period of the 11th century but it was burnt away by foreign invaders.

Therefore, Koryo started to make it again since 1236 and completed it in 1251. It is the present one in Pohyon Temple.

It consists of 6 793 volumes in 1 530-odds sorts.

The 80 000-odd blocks were made of birch trees on which characters were engraved.

Wood bars were attached to both ends of each woodcut to prevent them from getting twisted.

The surface of the block was varnished to prevent it from rotting and becoming wormy.

Each block is so elaborate like a work of art.

Phalmandaejanggyong is widely accepted in the world as the most perfect Buddhist literature among the old ones alive.

Phalmandaejanggyong serves as a valuable treasure showing the high level of the printing technique of our people in the Koryo period.

Rodong Sinmun