KOREA, 2011 Millennial Anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana - September 23, 2011

A thousand years ago, work commenced on Korea’s first woodcut Tripitaka, the “Chojo Daejanggyeong” or "the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana.” Tripitaka (Daejanggyeong) is the collection of “Gyeongjang (Sutra Pitaka),” the compilation of Buddha’s utterances, “Yuljang (Vinaya Pitaka),” the record of Buddhist precepts and “Nonjang (Abhidhamma Pitaka),” the translation of what Buddha said. It was during the Goguryeo era in the 4th century that Buddhism was first introduced to Korea. It steadily developed over the eras of Baekje and Silla to reach its heyday during the Goryeo era. With the background of this Buddhist culture and in the face of the frequent invasions by the Khitan, Goryeo’s excellent scientific technologies, the art of printing and economic power were combined to create "Tripitaka Koreana," which embodies Goryeo people’s desire to overcome those invasions through the mercy of Buddha.

Work on the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana began in the 2nd year of King Hyeonjong’s reign (the year 1011) during the Goryeo dynasty and its first engraving on woodblocks was accomplished in the 4th year of King Seonjong’s reign (the year 1029). The engraving resumed in 1046 and was completed in 1087. Based on the Gaebopan Tripitaka (the year 971) during the Northern Song dynasty, the world’s first woodcut Tripitaka, as well as referencing a selection of other Tripitakas in circulation during those days, the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana was created as Goryeo’s own unique Tripitaka. The superb cultural and academic foundations of those times resulted in the great feat of manufacturing “Gyojang,” the collection of Scriptures and Commentaries on the Tripitaka – the only one in the world. Currently, about 3,000 fascicles of the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana exist, holding a high bibliographical value. As the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana, stored at the Buin Temple in Palgong Mountain located in Daegu, was destroyed by fire in 1232 when Mongols invaded Korea, Jaejo Daejanggyeong (the Second-edition Tripitaka Koreana) was created from the 23th year (the year 1236) to the 38th year (the year 1251) of the reign of King Gojong of the Goryeo dynasty, which finally completed the 240-year-long, mammoth project of Tripitaka Koreana. This Second-edition Tripitaka Koreana, more commonly called Palman Daejanggyeong, was designated, along with its Depositories (Janggyeong Panjeon), as a UNESCO Memory of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage, respectively, in recognition of its cultural excellence.

In celebration of the millennial anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana, various events are being held this year including international workshops. In addition, a new step leading to the next millennium is being undertaken through the database work on the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana. Celebrating the Millennial Anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana, one of our proud cultural heritages, a commemorative stamp is issued that features “the 15th volume of Yugasajiron (Yogacaryabhumi sutra)” and “Eojebijangjeon" engraving -- the printed papers of the First-edition Tripitaka Koreana.

JAPAN, Gundam using Personalized stamp - March 25, 2011

KOREA, IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 - August 26, 2011

The IAAF World Championships, where competitors from all over the world will achieve incredible athletic feats, will be held for 9 days from August 27 to September 4 2011, in Daegu.

The event was created by IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation), and the IAAF World Championships was first held in Helsinki, Finland in 1983. Since its 3rd competition, it has been held every other year — on odd number years. The slogan of this year’s 13th competition is “Sprint Together for Tomorrow.” At this year’s competition, a total of approximately 6,000 athletes and officials from 212 countries around the world are expected to participate and display the skills they have polished through grueling training in a total of 47 events such as the long jump, the high jump, the javelin throw, the shot put, race walking, and the marathon, as well as the iconic track events such as the 100m, 400m, 1500m and the hurdles.

Daegu, the host city for this competition, is the city of textile, fashion and apple, with dense forests and a clean river winding through the city. Also serving as the host city for the 2013 World Energy Congress, Daegu is being reborn as an environment and alternative energy city, after being recently designated as “solar city-Daegu” by the IEA (International Energy Agency).

In celebration of the 2011 IAAF World Championships, two stamps are issued, each stamp featuring the sprint and the pole vault as ink-and-wash painting utilizing croquis sketching. It is hoped that this year’s competition will be a great success where people, through track and field events – the elite of sports – will thrill to record-shattering competition among world renowned athletes and be imbued with a profound spirit and true sportsmanship.