Welcome to the Haeinsa Temple. There is a 1.5 kilometer-long walk from the parking lot to the One Pillar Gate, the temple’s outermost entrance. While walking, take in the stunning view of Gayasan National Park.

Can you hear the melodious sound of water? It flows along the exquisite rocky valley on the left. The valley captivates visitors with its colorful scenery each season. Its beauty and the surroundings has earned it two nicknames. One is Ongnyudongcheon Stream, or Jade Brook Valley, inspired by the famous valley in Geumgangsan Mountain, often regarded as the most beautiful mountain in the Korean Peninsula. The other is Hongnyudonggyegok Valley, or Vermillion Brook Valley, derived from the autumnal colors of the trees reflected in the running water.

Gayasan National Park boasts breathtakingly beautiful peaks and valleys, symbolizing human spiritual growth in perfect harmony with nature.

Deep inside the park lies Haeinsa Temple, established about twelve centuries ago. Since then, it has evolved into one of the three most significant Buddhist sanctuaries in Korea, alongside Tongdosa Temple and Songgwangsa Temple. Each of them represents one of the Three Jewels of Korean Buddhism.

The First Jewel of Korean Buddhism comprises the "true relics" of the historical Buddha, or Shakyamuni, housed in Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan. The Second Jewel is the community of Buddhist monks symbolized by Songgwangsa Temple, which has produced sixteen eminent monks representing the spiritual maturity of Korean Buddhism. The Third Jewel is the dharma, or the Buddhist law, represented by the immense scriptural collection known as the Tripitaka Koreana. The collection comprises over eighty thousand scriptural woodblocks currently housed in two special depositaries in Haeinsa Temple. Some argue that Haesina Temple encapsulates the history of Korean Buddhism itself due to this treasure.